Edna Jean (Kirby) Pennell

Edna Jean Kirby Pennell, age 85, of Lenoir went to be with her Lord surrounded by her family on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. She was born on November 14, 1940, in Caldwell County to the late Joe and Edith Mae Kirby.

In addition to her parents, Edna was also preceded in death by her husband, Jay Augustus Pennell; her sons Dale Lee Pennell and Danny Ray Pennell; two brothers; and one sister.

Left to cherish Edna's memory are her sons Michael Jay Pennell and Johnny Alan Pennell (wife Donna); her daughters Lora Ann Pennell, Doris Pennell Pardue (husband Marty), and Sandra Wilson (husband Gary); her brothers Alvin Kirby (wife Sharon), Clyde Kirby (wife Tammie), and Larry Kirby (wife Sandy); her sister Rebecca Smith (husband Robert); her seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

Edna was a member of East Flat Baptist Church and a faithful Baptist. She worked at Broyhill Occasional #1 in the repair department for nearly 30 years. She loved gardening, crocheting, woodworking, and cooking. Edna was a loving Momma, Nanny, and Sis.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home, 522 Wilkesboro Blvd., Lenoir, NC 28645.

A funeral service will be held 1:00 PM on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Mark Moody. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir. Serving as pallbearers will be Zachery Thompson, Joseph Thompson, Jacob Pennell, Clyde Kirby, Jr., Doris Pardue, and Mark Ford.

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Edna Jean Kirby Pennell.