Margaret Pennington Drinkwater

Margaret Ann Pennington (71) was born February 3, 1955 in Winter Haven, Florida, to Bill and Hazel Pennington. Margaret Ann grew up in Groveland, Florida: reading, playing piano, and riding horses with her friends who often referred to her as, “MAP.” She was a member of the Groveland Girl Scout Mounted unit and an avid Equestrian.

She graduated from Valencia Community College with an Associates Degree in Nursing. At 23 years old she served as the head charge nurse at her local hospital. Her multifaceted nursing career included endocrinology, home healthcare, end of life caregiving, and a director of nurses all the while managing a growing family and family business: Drinkwater & Drinkwater Inc. She “retired” in 2015 but has continued her education and held her nursing certificate until present day.

She was a proud wife and mother of three children, a beloved grandmother, a favorite aunt, a dear sister, and a best friend. She proudly served as the president of the Groveland High school Alumni Association in 2023 heading up the most attended reunion to date. She was actively involved in her church community throughout her life, leading Vacation Bible School, singing in the choir, and playing the piano.

She was preceded in passing by her parents Bill & Hazel Pennington, and her brothers: Gordon, Dale, and Billy Pennington.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Norman Drinkwater and their children: Morgan [Drinkwater] (Mark) McGuire, Preston (Bliss) Drinkwater, and Troy (Sarah) Drinkwater, her sisters Nancy Pennington & Janet Motley, and her five-nearly six grandchildren.

Her service will be held at Baldwin Fairchild in Oviedo on September 23, 2026. Her viewing begins at 9:30am. A 10:30 service will follow, then her burial at Drawdy-Rouse Cemetery in Orlando, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested making a contribution, in Margaret’s name to nationalbreastcancer.org or

Lockwood Missionary Baptist Church