Erma Lou Penick
Early in the morning on Saturday, November 27, 2021, Erma Lou Penick passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus at the age of 101.
Erma Lou was born on December 29, 1919 to Mitchell Vernon “Dut” Sumrall and Lillie Mollie Rayborn Sumrall. After finishing high school, she moved to Macon, MS and lived with her sister and brother-in-law, Arnell and Evan Dossett. There, she met her husband, Gene, on a blind date, and after a short courtship, Gene and Erma Lou married on March 26, 1939. They soon welcomed their first son, Gene Jr., into their family, and fourteen years later, their youngest son Ray was born. Erma Lou and Gene made their home in Macon until Gene was transferred to Pulaski, TN, by the Borden Milk Company. Then, in 1965, another job transfer took their family to Louisville, MS, and in 1967, their family finally made it back home to Macon, where she and Gene happily lived until their deaths.
Erma Lou loved the Lord most in her life, and the first thing she did after every move was find the local Methodist Church to join and get involved. She loved to sing and always served in the church choir and other civic organizations. Erma Lou held several jobs-a beautician, switchboard operator at Noxubee General Hospital, and bank teller. She even did a stint working at the Macon Stockyard on sale day. But, Erma Lou’s favorite job of all was being a mother and homemaker. She loved her kids and grandkids deeply, and one of the ways she demonstrated her love for others was by cooking and baking lavish treats for everyone to enjoy. She also loved gardening, canning fruit and vegetables, and refinishing furniture. Erma Lou constantly brought home old, scratched-up furniture that she found in a used furniture store or yard sale. Then, she would take her treasured “junk” into her beloved barn and transform it into masterpieces, which she used to decorate her home. There was a story in every piece of furniture.
Erma Lou was happiest when she was serving others. Her servant’s heart and joyful spirit will be deeply missed by her sons, Gene Penick Jr. (Julia Joe) and Ray Penick (Catherine “Pooh”); grandchildren, Gina Penick Mclean (Jeff), Macki Penick Smith (Jeff), Rayce Penick (Allison), and Claire Gaither; great-grandchildren, Kimberly Johnson (Curtis), Stephanie Wilson (Bryan), TJ Mclean, Mackinzie Smith, Adelyn Smith, Adessa Smith, Jack Blair, and Willow Blair; and three great-great grandchildren, Patrick Wilson, Lydia Wilson, and Alasdair Wilson; as well as numerous extended family members and friends, especially those she met while living at the Noxubee County Nursing Home.
Erma Lou is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gene; parents, Mitchell Virgil “Dut” and Lillie Sumrall; and siblings, Vern Sumrall, Arnell Sumrall Dossett, Marlon Sumrall, Yvonne Couch, and Jimmie Slade.
A Celebration of Erma Lou’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., at First United Methodist Church in Macon, MS. A graveside service will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetary in Macon. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Macon, MS.