Joe Willie Pennie

Joe Willie Pennie was born on March 11, 1934 to the parentage of Nestor Pennie and Pricilla Henley in Brenham, Texas. He accepted Jesus Christ as his savior at an early age and was baptized at St. John AME Church. Joe attended public school in Brenham and graduated in 1953 from Pickard High School.

Joe spent time in the United States Air Force and retired as a Master Sergeant.

Joe attended Prairie View A & M College and received a BS in Elementary Education 1964 and a MED in Special Education 1967. He also received the degree Master of Science from California State University, 1977 Hayward, California.

Joe started his teaching career with Houston Independent School District in 1964. He and family left Houston and taught in Micronesia Department of Interior. Donna was born in Guam during the time they were teaching in Micronesia. Upon returning to Houston, Joe and Hazel returned to teaching.

In September 1969 Joe and Hazel moved to Oakland, California and taught there until her demise December 5, 1980. Joe taught 32 years and retired in June, 2001. He returned to Houston and subbed in Alief ISD in 2001. Fall of 2002, he took a teaching position with Fort Bend ISD at Willowridge High School, teaching special education. He retired from Fort Bend ISD in June, 2009 and during Fall 2009 he started subbing in special education in elementary schools in Alief ISD.

Joe was married to Hazel Hood, who preceded him in death, and to this union two children Rodrick and Donna Cheryl.

Throughout his career, he touched the lives of many during his teaching and travel over the years.

A Visitation will be held in his honor on Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. inside St. John AME Church, 1012 E Main Street, Brenham, Texas 77833. The Celebration of Life service will commence at 10:00 a.m. after which he will be escorted to the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038 where he will be laid to rest with honors.