Phyllis Kay (Davis) Pennington

Life’s Reflections

Phyllis Kay Pennington was born May 8, 1949 in Kansas City, Kansas to the parents of Thelma N. Davis and James A. Gaines which both have preceded her in death.  Also preceding her in death her older brother, Clifton Hite Jr.  and her sister, Carolyn Nelson.

In her younger years she moved to Los Angeles, California with her mom where she graduated from John C. Fremont High School.  Phyllis married Robert Merriman, to this marriage her son, Carlos Merriman was born.  After the marriage was dissolved, Phyllis moved back home to Kansas City where she met and married the love of her life, Lonnell Pennington Jr. who preceded her in death after 44 years of marriage.  During their marriage they became foster parents and one special child “Felicia” melted their hearts and she became an addition to the Pennington family.

Phyllis worked for the Social Security Administration until she retired after 32 years of service to care for her husband.  After working part time for a few different companies, Phyllis started a career in Real Estate which she still managed to do until she was unable to continue.

As an infant she was baptized Catholic and she continued her affiliation with Christ the King Church until her death. 

When you think of Phyllis, you think of family and love.  If she could, she would have everyone as part of her family and many of us are.  She was strong-willed, self-less, caring to a fault and loving.  She would always tell the family and others, “Be good to those who are good to you”.

Phyllis was very involved in several fundraising activities for charitable donations as well as adopting different families during the Christmas season to help those less fortunate.  She donated much of her time to shopping, cooking and serving those who came to the Church’s Food Kitchen program up until her health would not allow her to do so.

Phyllis always had a willing and giving spirit and when she saw a need in others, she was the first to step in and help.  She was loved by so many and she will be deeply missed by all!

Phyllis leaves to cherish her memory her two devoted and caring children, Carlos Merriman and Felicia Pennington; a loving grandson, Marcus Merriman; one sister, Janette Hopkins (Richard) of Oakland, California; a caring mother in law, Consuello Moore; 3 sisters in law, Ethel Hite; Sharon K. Cherry (Julius); Zana Shain (Wendell); brother in law, Elmer Bass and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins as well as other relatives, friends and BFF, all of whom she truly loved.  Her special sisters, Donnie Thomas and Marilyn (Fluffy) Jones of San Bernardino, California, who lost a lifelong friend.

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