Freed-Hardeman Connections
Researching the Restoration Movement in Mississippi and West Tennessee
Neal Penny
Neal Penny, A Beloved Brother and Faithful Minister
"But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts." Ephesians 6:22.) What Paul said about Tychicus in the foregoing makes me think of Neal Penny, who was "a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord," and who comforted the hearts of many of God's people with his gospel preaching and teaching.
Neal passed away July 2, 1992 at age 69. Memorial services for him were conducted by E. Claude Gardner, former president of Freed-Hardeman University, and Leo Powers former minister of the Main Street Church of Christ in Milan, Tennessee. Burial was in Walnut Grove Cemetery a short distance west of Trenton, Tennessee.
Brother Penny is survived by his widow, Margaret Dedmon Penny of Trezvant, Tennessee; a son Stan Penny of Trenton, Tennessee, who is a highway patrolman; two sisters; Jimmie B. Taylor of Trenton, and Martha Bolin of Sidney, Ohio; and two granddaughters.
Education and Preaching
Neal attended Freed-Hardeman College, and David Lipscomb College. He was a good Bible scholar, and loved the Lord, the word of God, and the Lord’s church. He also loved the lost and preached the gospel of salvation nearly 50 years. He preached his first sermon at Christian Chapel in Gibson County, Tennessee. Margaret said he had his sights set on preaching there in January 1993 on the 50th anniversary of his preaching.
At the time of his death, Neal was the regular preacher for Liberty Church of Christ near Dresden, Tennessee. He served as minister of churches of Christ in Gary, Indiana; Flint, Michigan; Dearborn, Michigan; and Monroe, Louisiana. He also served several other congregations in Tennessee, including at Bradford; Atwood, Sitka, Trezvant; and Dorris Chapel. It was my pleasure to preach in a series of meetings at Atwood when he was the preacher there. That was my closest association with him, and I learned to love and appreciate him very much. I was born and reared in that part of West Tennessee where he did most of his preaching. I always heard good things about him.
NEAL PENNY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY
A scholarship fund in memory of Neal is being established at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. This fund will aid deserving Bible students at Freed-Hardeman University. Contributions should be sent to Freed-Hardeman and marked for this fund.
In that place of grandeur and splendor, where we shall look upon the face of God, and see our Lord Jesus and be like him, I expect to be with Neal Penny and a host of others. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2.).
-- The Editor, The World Evangelist, 12, Jan 1993.
Walnut Grove Cemetery, Highway 104 W., Trenton, Tenn.
Going west out of Trenton on Highway 104, turn right at the first drive way. Turn left at the second road near the top of the hill. Brother Penny's tombstone is on the right, about five rows deep.
Neal Penny, A Beloved Brother and Faithful Minister
"But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts." Ephesians 6:22.) What Paul said about Tychicus in the foregoing makes me think of Neal Penny, who was "a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord," and who comforted the hearts of many of God's people with his gospel preaching and teaching.
Neal passed away July 2, 1992 at age 69. Memorial services for him were conducted by E. Claude Gardner, former president of Freed-Hardeman University, and Leo Powers former minister of the Main Street Church of Christ in Milan, Tennessee. Burial was in Walnut Grove Cemetery a short distance west of Trenton, Tennessee.
Brother Penny is survived by his widow, Margaret Dedmon Penny of Trezvant, Tennessee; a son Stan Penny of Trenton, Tennessee, who is a highway patrolman; two sisters; Jimmie B. Taylor of Trenton, and Martha Bolin of Sidney, Ohio; and two granddaughters.
Education and Preaching
Neal attended Freed-Hardeman College, and David Lipscomb College. He was a good Bible scholar, and loved the Lord, the word of God, and the Lord’s church. He also loved the lost and preached the gospel of salvation nearly 50 years. He preached his first sermon at Christian Chapel in Gibson County, Tennessee. Margaret said he had his sights set on preaching there in January 1993 on the 50th anniversary of his preaching.
At the time of his death, Neal was the regular preacher for Liberty Church of Christ near Dresden, Tennessee. He served as minister of churches of Christ in Gary, Indiana; Flint, Michigan; Dearborn, Michigan; and Monroe, Louisiana. He also served several other congregations in Tennessee, including at Bradford; Atwood, Sitka, Trezvant; and Dorris Chapel. It was my pleasure to preach in a series of meetings at Atwood when he was the preacher there. That was my closest association with him, and I learned to love and appreciate him very much. I was born and reared in that part of West Tennessee where he did most of his preaching. I always heard good things about him.
NEAL PENNY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY
A scholarship fund in memory of Neal is being established at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. This fund will aid deserving Bible students at Freed-Hardeman University. Contributions should be sent to Freed-Hardeman and marked for this fund.
In that place of grandeur and splendor, where we shall look upon the face of God, and see our Lord Jesus and be like him, I expect to be with Neal Penny and a host of others. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2.).
-- The Editor, The World Evangelist, 12, Jan 1993.
Walnut Grove Cemetery, Highway 104 W., Trenton, Tenn.
Going west out of Trenton on Highway 104, turn right at the first drive way. Turn left at the second road near the top of the hill. Brother Penny's tombstone is on the right, about five rows deep.