Bruce C. Pennell

Lenoir – Bruce Carroll Pennell, a loving husband, father and grandfather of Baptist Faith at Lenoir Community Church, recently passed away on April 1, 2015 at Lenoir Health Care. Born on September 1, 1937, Bruce was 77 years of age. In his many years, Bruce lived an accomplished life; only at the age of 10 he won a watermelon-eating contest and from then on would never eat watermelon again.Graduating from Lenoir High School, Bruce was a “Bearcat” and played football all four years of his attendance.After completing some college, Bruce would become a United States Army Veteran in 1958 as a Marksman and would receive an honorable discharge in 1960 at Fort Eustis, Virginia.Bruce would later go on to work as a Furniture Inspector for Broyhill Furniture where he would finally retire after 35 years of hard work and service. Bruce was an active member of the Lenoir Moose Lodge and even had the honor of playing Santa Claus in the Lenoir Parade for multiple years.Bruce was also an avid Bowler and even went semi-pro, going on to win many tournaments, not to mention 2 perfect 300 games in his career. Bruce is preceded in death by is father; Charlie A. Pennell and mother; Maggie Mae Pennell. Surviving Bruce after 50 years of marriage is his wife, Reba Sherrill Pennell.Bruce is also survived by his three sisters-in-law; Phylliss Froneberger, Elaine Monaghan and Gertrude Pennell and his brother; Charles Dennis Pennell.Bruce has two sons; Mark Bruce Pennell and Matthew Wilson Pennell and a daughter-in-law: Danielle G. Pennell.Bruce’s grandchildren include three granddaughters; Erinn P. Andrews, Stevie A. Pilkenton, Katy Pennell and two grandsons: Jackson Pennell and Bennett Pennell.Three great grandchildren and ten nieces and nephews also survive Bruce. A graveside service for Mr. Pennell will be held Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 12:00 Noon at Blue Ridge Memorial Park with Reverend Tim Hawkins officiating. The Pennell family respectfully requests that all memorials be sent to Caldwell County Hospice. 902 Kirkwood Street Lenoir, North Carolina, 28645 Online condolences may be sent to the Pennell Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Pennell Family.