Joy Nell Penland, of Crocker, was born on March 5, 1943, at Lake Charles, Louisiana, a daughter of Joseph Cleve and Gladys (Arabie) McGee, and departed this life at 12:27 p.m., Monday, April 22, 2013, in the Mercy Hospital, Springfield. Mrs. Penland had attained the age of 70 years, 1 month and 17 days.

Mrs. Penland was united in marriage on September 19, 1963, at Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Calvin Penland and to this union one daughter was born. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Joseph "Joe" McGee and two sisters, Peggy Jones and Leona Peterson.

Mrs. Penland chose to walk through life with God at the age of 15. She loved reading her bible, praying and getting to know the heart of God. In her last years her strong faith and conviction was a source of great comfort and peace.

Mrs. Penland retired from Civil Service after 30 years of work at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and after her retirement, she worked part time for Advancia, a government contractor. Mrs. Penland was a wonderful cook and her home and her heart were always open to guests. She will be remembered for her kind and generous spirit. One of her greatest loves in life was her daughter, Emily, their mutual love and deep friendship will always be remembered and cherished.

Mrs. Penland fought a valiant battle with cancer that lasted for 15 years. Her spirit through this experience was one of great courage and she provided strength and comfort to everyone around her and would remind them that "Nothing in life matters but Salvation".

Those left to cherish the precious memories of Mrs. Penland include: her husband of forty nine years, Calvin Penland and her beloved daughter, Emily Olsen, both of Crocker; Emily's special friend, Jim Timmersman, St. Louis; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Curtis and Phebe McGee, Acworth, Georgia and Glen McGee, Pflugerville, Texas; two brothers-in-law, Jimmy Jones, Lake Charles, Louisiana and Ray Peterson, Port Allen, Louisiana; many nephews; nieces; close family friends; and the many that Mrs. Penland claimed as her own sons, daughters and grandchildren.


Funeral services were conducted for Mrs. Penland at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 27, 2013 in the Crocker School Gymnasium, Crocker.

Interment was in the Crocker Cemetery, Crocker, under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Crocker.

Memorials are suggested by the family to the Mercy Hospital Hospice, Springfield with envelopes available at the Crocker School or the office of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home, Crocker.

The family would like to thank the Hospice caregivers and Doctors at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, for their kindness and expertise in caring for Mrs. Penland in her last weeks.