Marilyn Ann Pennington

Born on March 26, 1947 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Marilyn moved to Jackson as a young child, making Jackson her home for over 70 years. Growing up on Westwood and Waverly Drive, Marilyn loved to reminisce of special memories with friends and family that meant so much to her throughout the years. It brought her great joy to tell stories about her "old stomping grounds."

Upon graduating from Jackson High School in 1965, she attended the University of Tennessee at Martin for three years where she was a basketball and football cheerleader, served as Vice President of Chi Omega, and President of Delta Kappa. While in college, Marilyn met and married Joe L. Pennington, completing her bachelor's in education at Lambuth College.

Marilyn was an avid reader and possessed a life-long love for learning. She was a dedicated educator within the Jackson Madison County School System for over 25 years. On occasion, she enjoyed planning and leading professional development opportunities for fellow educators and found great joy in helping others succeed. Marilyn was also a gifted and talented sewer, creating beautiful dresses for her three granddaughters while pouring hours of love into every stitch. She also enjoyed being a part of various sewing groups throughout the years.

Aside from her professional career and her hobbies, her greatest love and joy was for her family, showing them boundless love, care, and support. Anyone who knew her knew her family was the light of her life, especially her eight grandchildren, talking of them every chance she had. Marilyn strived to show each person their value and was quick to remind her family how proud she was of each of them.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 57 years, Joe L. Pennington; a son, Andrew Pennington and wife Erica; a daughter, Carol Dykes and husband Brent; eight grandchildren, Ty Park (Lynley), Clay Simpson (Sydney), John Edward Bailey, Adam Simpson (Summer), Libby Simpson, Elise Simpson, Elle Pennington, and Reid Pennington. Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Anna Bailey; mother, Rubye Lee Van Dyke Overton; father, Neil Van Dyke; and stepfather, Joseph Overton.

A service to celebrate Marilyn's life and legacy will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons with burial following in Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 11 a.m., two hours prior to the service.