Betsy Ann Pennington

Betsy Ann Pennington, long time Austin resident, passed away April 30, 2014 after a long and full life. Betsy was born in Rogers Texas in 1916, the only child of Marc and Bessie Jenkins. She spent her youth in Tucson, Arizona and McAllen, Texas before moving to Austin in 1940. There she met and, following World War II, married Cecil F. Pennington. They spent 40 loving years together prior to his death in 1989. Betsy worked for Bergstrom AFB, the Texas Game and Fish Commission and was a veteran of many democratic political campaigns. In 1979, she retired as post mistress of the Senate after 24 years with the State of Texas.

Always a student of history and politics, Betsy prided herself on being well informed on the issues of the day and loved nothing more than a good debate. She was insightful, honest and loyal to both friends and family. Her love, energy and spirit will be missed by those who knew her. Betsy is survived by her son Cecil Forrest Pennington Jr., his wife Linda Pennington and their daughter Jennifer L. Pennington.

Visitation will be held Sunday May 4th at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. A graveside ceremony will be held Monday morning May 5th at 10:00 am at the Austin Memorial Park. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Betsy’s name to the Martin Luther King scholarship fund of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin.