Betty Louise Pennington

Betty L. Pennington, 84, passed away on April 9, 2015 at the Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado. She was born October 9, 1930 on the Q.V. Jackson oil lease near Drumright in Creek County, Oklahoma, a daughter of Wayne Theron and Grace Viola (Van Zant) Bond. She moved to Colorado with her parents in 1942 living first in Colorado Springs and then Rocky Ford. She married Clifford Forrest Pennington in Raton, New Mexico on March 7, 1947. They moved to Riverside, California in June 1957; he preceded her in death on June 5, 1993.
 
Mrs. Pennington graduated from Riverside (CA) City College earning a degree in cosmetology. While attending there she was selected to participate in the Women of Distinction program having earned a scholarship from the Magnolia Business Women's Club. She was on the Dean's List throughout her term of study.
 
Mrs. Pennington was active in several patriotic organizations. She had served as past president of the Riverside (CA) Genealogical Society, past First Deputy Governor Southern Division California Society of Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims; National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century where she served on the national Credential Committee; past State Registrar and 1st Vice President of the California State Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century; past president of the Roger Williams Chapter, Colonial Dames XVII Century, Riverside/San Bernardino (CA); Daughters of American Colonists and, a member of Daughters of the War of 1812. She also held the office of Registrar and Regent in the La Junta chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Daughters of the Confederacy; secretary in the Las Animas Women's Civic Club, President of the Post 2411 VFW Auxiliary and, served as District Secretary in District 6 of the VFW Auxiliary. She had also served as editor and publisher of several family genealogical books, including Pennington Pedigrees, Fisher Facts, Smith Sagas, and Kennedy Klues. In 1996 and 1997, she published family history books entitled, "Our Pennington Family" and "The Bond Family". Her most recent publications was the history of Manzanola, Colorado and lastly along with her friends Janice Keenan and Teresa Garcia of Las Animas, a history of the 75 years of the Santa Fe Trail Days celebration held in Las Animas. She, along with her daughter and son in law, walked and transcribed the Rocky Ford, Manzanola and Cheraw cemeteries and submitted them online. She also transcribed early funeral and coroner records in the possession of the Kuhns Funeral Home and they also are online. She had also served on the Board of Trustees of the Las Animas/Bent County District Library. She taught classes on how to do genealogical research in Las Animas for 3 years.
 
Mrs. Pennington retired in October 1989 due to the ill health and subsequent death of her husband. She had served as an Administrative Secretary at the University of California, Riverside serving as secretary to the Chairman of the Nematology Department and later in the office of the Dean of Agriculture at the University. Moving to Las Animas, Colorado she had been employed by Bent County Clerk Patti Nickell, acting in the capacity of Elections Clerk.
 
Mrs. Pennington is survived by three sons, Wayne (Pat) Pennington of Golden, CO; Michael (Mindy)  Pennington  of Lake Elsinore, CA; Rick (Cindy) Pennington of Las Vegas, NV; daughter, Dianna (Gary) Hendren of La Junta, CO; three granddaughters and seven grandsons, 22 great-grandchildren, and two great, great- grandsons; sisters, Patricia (Harold) Bond Clark of Pueblo, CO; Mary Jane Bond Losey of Las Animas, CO; sister- in- law, Jo Ann Bond of Broken Arrow, OK; and by many Pennington relatives and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, husband of 46 years, and brother, James Richard Bond.
 
In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made in Betty’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project, Shriners Hospitals, and Inspirations Fields direct or through the funeral home.  Family also would like you to bring a written “special moment” or experience you shared with Betty to her service.
 

 

Services will be held Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Gordon Smith officiating. Interment will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the Fort Lyon National Cemetery.