Delores Smith Penn
Posted By Chapel Of Peace Team On August 20, 2021 @ 2:16 pm In Obituaries,Columbus Obituaries | 21 Comments
On Thursday, August 19, 2021, Delores peacefully departed this life for her eternal, heavenly home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Delores was the first of 10 children born to the late William H. Smith and Mary Graves on February 13, 1933 in Eckman, West Virginia. She grew up in Bluefield, West Virginia and graduated from Kimball High School. After high school, she attended
Bluefield State College and graduated with a degree in education. It was at Bluefield State College that she met her husband, Samuel Walker Penn, to which 5 children were born – 3 boys and 2 girls.
Delores accepted Christ as a teenager and lived her life in devoted service to Him. Being a gifted teacher, she used this gift in the Sunday School ministry in Detroit, Michigan at Refuge Temple Church of Christ and Rehoboth Temple Church in Columbus, Ohio. She served side by side with her husband on the state, local and national level in the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC) Sunday School Department. As an educator, she had a passion for learning and for children. She was a gifted teacher in the elementary level and worked in the Detroit City Schools as well as the Columbus City Schools until her retirement in 1995. Upon retirement, she spent her time tutoring in the Columbus City Schools as a reading specialist as well as tutoring and preparing her grandchildren for lifelong learning.
Delores was full of humility, grace and compassion. In addition, she possessed the gift of hospitality, always welcoming visitors into her home and freely sharing meals. Delores was a gifted decorator, avid gardener and self-taught landscaper. Being extremely creative, she was often called upon by many to provide landscaping ideas and plant selections for various homes. Not only would she share her knowledge but, most often, would provide the labor to get the job done.
More than her teaching, more than her decorating, gardening and landscaping, Delores longed to see Jesus! She was instrumental in ministering to many family and friends as they transitioned to eternity. She proudly demonstrated her faith and hope on her last personal license plate – 02C GZUS.
Even during her suffering, the love of God was manifested. Her sweet and gracious nature never changed. Delores was patient, long suffering, kind, understanding, always showing care and concern for others even during her illness. She was dearly loved by all who knew her. Until we see her again, our hearts will be broken, but we know she is well and happy with her Jesus!
Delores is preceded in death by husband, Elder Samuel Penn; her parents, William and Mary Smith; brothers, William Oda Smith and Carlos Squire Smith; her sister- cousin, Etta Jean King, and many other in-laws and family.
Delores leaves her devoted and beloved children, Samuel Walker II (Joyce) of Clinton, Maryland; Rockford Andre, Millicent Denise, Tarji Denine Broomfield (Arthur) and Christian Miguel (Adrienne) of Columbus, Ohio; her sisters, Gwen Watkins (James), Juanita Pannell (Melvin), Litisia Solomon, Pearl Moore (Alvis), Sondrus McDaniel, Deborah Jenkins (William), and Karen Smith. Also, her 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and God-daughter, Nikki Franklin as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends
Visitation 11:00am and Memorial Service 12:00pm Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Rehoboth Church of Christ, 1111 E. Long Street.
Condolences for the family of “Delores Smith Penn”
May God continue to richly bless Mother Penn’s family and many friends during this season of bereavement.
Dr. Rose Handon & Family
I pray that the Glory of the Lord surround You Family as You prepare to funeralize Mother Penn. I pray for comfort for You’ll and may God’s Blessing be upon You. Love Sis Ruth Waldron
Bishop Dane And Lisa Clark
August 23, 2021
Our deepest condolences and prayers to the Smith Penn family. May God Comfort you and give you peace as only he can do. May God’s blessing’s be upon you always and his love sustain you and keep you.
May God be with you all during this time of bereavement. May He give you comfort and peace as you share loving memories of Mrs. Penn. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Blessings and love in Jesus,
Pam (Toni) West-Bolden
My condolences to the family, may the Lord comfort you in your time of bereavement
I met Delores while teaching at Reeb Elementary. I was always impressed with her very successful quiet gentle way of teaching After Delores retired, I got to know her better while enjoying many play dates with our son, Sam, and her grandsons Christian and Q.
I hope you can all take comfort in knowing all the joy that Delores brought to others. God gave us memories so that we may have roses in December. I’m sure that Delores will continue to be in your hearts and bring you peace through your sweet memories.
My sincere condolences to the Penn and Smith families. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God continue to comfort your family during this difficult time. Mother Penn was such a sweet, kind woman of God. She will be missed!
Love you all,
Mother Nadine Bryant &
Sis. Lisa Belcher
To the Penn Family, so sorry to hear of your moms passing. I pray that God will comfort you with the sweet memories of your mom. Mrs. Penn was a beautiful, sweet and graceful women. Always so kind to those she came in contact with. I attended school with both Denise and Rocky and have known the family since our Junior high school days. Mrs. Penn always so pleasant and sweet when I would drop by their home to visit. Continue prayers to each and everyone of you. God Bless!
Sam
Our deepest condolences to you and your family during this time. May God give all of you strength to endure.
God Bless
Cynthia & George Floyd
Keeping the Penn/Smith families in prayer during your loss. Thankfully Sis Delores lived a full life with family and friends. Her legacy will live on.
Lovingly,
Pamela Starling Linton
Our postal brother Chris Penn, Our deepest condolences to you and your family doing this time.Eastland Station sends our love to you and yours, GOD Bless , Eastland Station
Family we may miss Lois here on earth but we carry her always in our hearts..Rest in Peace dear cousin…
My condolences and prayers to the family Smiths and Penn
My prayers is for God to give you comfort and strength
God bless you all ,Sis D. Penn was a beautiful women of God
Virginia Allen
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Delores was a childhood friend of mine. Our friendship continued throughout the years. She was a jewel and a beautiful woman of God. May the Lord uphold you and grant you peace.
To the Penn and Smith family, May God’s sweet peace and comfort rest and abide with you during your loss. Sis. Penn was loved by all who came across her path. She was a lovely role model and a kind and caring person. Her legacy and impact will never be forgotten. We continue to lift you in prayer. God bless you.
My Dear Mama Lois
I love you so much & I am so happy to have known you for as long as I have. Ms. Penn took me in every morning for a whole summer along with grandchildren and she would take us to the library and have us read there for hours and take us to Wendy’s after and that was ALWAYS a trip.
Ive missed her so much as I gotten older & moved from Ohio and couldn’t see her often, but I know that she knew I loved her dearly from afar and forever.
Rest Peacefully
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can not heal. We humbly summit to the will of God who is the Author and finisher of our faith in the Home Going of one so dear. Sister Penn has been our teacher, friend, example, a faithful servant and all with a beautiful smile, kind words and a heart of gold.
Forever loved, The Spencer Family❤️
Our thoughts and prayers are continually with you May the Lord bless you and keep you in perfect peace during this time. May you be strengthened and encouraged as His angels on assignment are watching over you and His loving arms are around you to comfort you❤
So much love to and for the Penn and Smith families. Special prayers and blessing to you, Denise. ~ Marie
Chris and family, just hearing about the passing of my former 4th grade teacher at Eastwood Elementary, Mrs. Penn. She was a great teacher and saint to put up with all my shenanigans. I was the only girl in her class that stayed in trouble because of my sassy mouth. I’m sorry that I never got to apologize for the drama I put her through. Praying for all the family.
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Dear family,
Our prayers are that the God of All Comfort will enfold you in His Loving Arms as He provides you with peace, hope and strength in the coming days. Our Fervent Love,