BLANCHE PENNICK

Blanche Loving Pennick peacefully transitioned from this earthly life to her heavenly home at the age of 109 years. She was the fourteenth of fifteen children born to Mr. John Loving and Mrs. Alice Daniels Loving.  Blanche Mae was born on the family farm outside of Ledbetter, Texas on July 31,1915. She attended and graduated from the local Fayette County schools where she also played on the girls' basketball team. 

Her father was a farmer and a businessman, and it was on the family farm where she along with her brothers and sisters learned their strong work ethic and sense of responsibility.  At an early age, Blanche accepted Christ as her personal savior and joined the Triumph Baptist Church where she was baptized under the supervision of Pastor King. 

As a young adult, Blanche married Norris Pennick and lived in Kerrville, Texas for a while before moving, in 1942, to San Antonio Texas where they immediately joined and became very active in the Palestine Baptist Church. Norris went to work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and provided a very stable life for his family.  Norris and Blanche raised their five children: Charles, Loyal, Alice, Herbert and Vanessa on the west side of San Antonio. 

After many years as a stay-at-home mom and homemaker, Blanche did private home-work and later worked for many years in SAISD.  While at SAISD, she worked as a cook at Grant Elementary and Thomas Jefferson High School.  Blanche and Norris modeled and taught their children through their words and actions to have an unwavering faith in God, a strong work ethic, and a keen sense of responsibility.  The children were to display discipline in thought and behavior, develop a passion for learning and show love for God and family. 

Sister Pennick was a strong Christian woman and very active in her church.  She started each day with her devotional bible reading, singing hymns, and prayer.  Upon joining Palestine, Sister Pennick became an active and faithful member of the Senior mission and was a former president of that auxiliary. Mission work was her passion. Blanche was a faithful member of the Sunday school and for many years had perfect attendance.  Additionally, she served as a Sunday school teacher for the women’s bible class, a member of the Senior choir and for many years she and two of her closest friends were the adult sponsors for the Starlight Youth Choir.  Sister Pennick was a long-time member of the Minister and Deacon Wives auxiliary and for years performed the task of making the Lord’s Supper bread. 

Blanche attributed her good health and longevity to her love and faith in God along with getting plenty of fresh air and exercise, she loved her daily walks.  She loved to cook her meals and tend to her flowers. She enjoyed her garden club where she and the other club members would discuss gardening and show off some of the flowers and vegetables they had grown. 

She was preceded in death by both parents and all fourteen of her siblings, her husband Norris Pennick Jr., sons Charles Edward and Loyal Gene, and daughter Vanessa Dale. 

She leaves to mourn her passing, daughter Alice (Frank, deceased) Fears, son Herbert (Gennethel) Pennick, grandsons Roderick (Nicole) Fears, Christopher Fears, granddaughters Anissa Pennick and Adrienne (Tyrone) Blocker, great granddaughter Serena Fears, great grandsons Collin Blocker and Ravion Fears; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, family friends, extended family members and the Palestine Baptist Church Family. 

Blanche’s legacy is one of faith, family, and dedication. Her life story is a testament to the values she held dear and the impact she had on those around her.