Mary Nella (Black) Pennington

Mary Nella (Black) Pennington, “Mary Nell,” 89 years old, died at her home in Gastonia North Carolina on 14 April 2022. She was born in Gastonia and lived there for the entirety of her life. Having her family trait of musical ability, Mary Nell played piano for Adams Memorial Presbyterian Church, Ozark Baptist Mission and Faith United Methodist Church, where she was an active member for 60 years. She was active in Women’s Circle, XYZ Club and Gaston County Senior Citizens activities, often the welcoming smile at the door of the Armory for the Friday Night Dances. She was a regular visitor of several assisted living facilities, especially on puzzle nights. She was a long-standing member and former secretary of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Absher Flowers Post 9337. Over the years she also played stand-in bass guitar with her brother’s country band at some local dance venues. Many will miss Mary.

Mary is the daughter of the late Evelyn (Allen) Black and Burnie Roe Black, Sr. Her brothers, Burnie Black, Jr., Tommy Leon Black and Bobby Allen Black have all predeceased her.

Her children, Billy Michael Pennington and Loretta Lynn Pennington, survive Mary. Survivors include her granddaughters, Tina (Kooyman) Beckwith, Bonnie (Stroupe) Warner and Penny Stroupe and grandsons Jason Pennington and Joshua Pennington. Her great-grandchildren, Chance, Sarah, Wesley, Elizabeth, Mary Eleanor and Alexander and her great-great-grandchildren, Aiden, Arya and Roman are also grieving the loss of Mary.

Mary’s family will gather privately at her grave, at a later date, to remember Mary and to celebrate her life.

Fond memories of Mary and condolences for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.

The staff of Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the family.