Pantha Vashti Houser Penley
May 23, 1933 ~ August 31, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Pantha Vashti Houser Penley died on August 31, 2013 in Asheville, NC.
Her parents were the late Rev. Jacob Emmanuel Beauregard Houser and Pantha Vashti Harrelson Houser. Her sister and brothers were Mary Ethel, JEB, John, David and Roland.
Pantha was also preceded in death by her daughter, Pantha Vashti (Tye) Penley Johnson. She is survived by her husband James Etheridge Penley, son John Rhodes Penley and daughter Jaime Susann Penley.
Pantha was born on May 23, 1933, in Ashe County, NC. She spent her high school years in Waynesville, NC and Leicester, NC. She began her education at Duke University and completed her teacher's certificate at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Her teaching career began at Hill Street Middle School in Asheville and was completed at Hall Fletcher Middle School in Asheville. She spent her entire career teaching 6th grade students.
She was an avid bridge player and spent many pleasant days with her bridge club friends. She was also a strong supporter of her church, Trinity United Methodist. She enjoyed her craft and quilting groups and loved her yearly trips to the Isle of Palms, SC, with her beach buddies.
The family will be at 70 Longview Road in West Asheville.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 5th, at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, 901 Aiken Rd., Asheville, NC 28804.
At her request, please omit flowers. You may remember her with gifts to The Reach Out Circle, Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806, or to Boca Costa Medical Mission, 218 Liberty Lane, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.
My love and prayers to the Penley family. Pantha and Jim were friends and neighbors of my family for many years. Jaime was like my second little sister.
My sincere condolences to ‘Coach’ and his family. I was blessed to spend my junior high years (1960-1963) at Hall Fletcher being molded by some wonderful young adults. The Penleys could not have been better role models. I always felt they truly cared about me and all the students. To ‘Coach’ and his children, thanks for sharing your wife and mom with so many children over the years. Know hundreds of lives have been made better by having spent a part of their life with her.
Coach Penley, Jamie, and Johnnie – So sorry about your loss. My thoughts are with you all.
Don
I have just loss one of the best friends I ever had. Pantha and I go back to our days at Western Carolina Univ.to Hall Fletcher to Bridge Club to trips to the beach. Without a doubt she was the kindest person to everyone she met. She was so good to my family too. May God be with her family at this time.
I am sending you all much love and light. John Penley is a friend and I wish to convey how much I care for him, and that I wish you all peace. I did not know Pantha, but i know John and I respect him very much. I know he is struggling and I wanted to relay my warmest regards to you all, and I will be praying for Pantha. And the family. I think I would have liked Pantha a alot, reading about her. Sending strength and love from Oakland, California.
Cyd Burk
I was so blessed to get to know Pantha when I moved here from Waynesville,NC, invited to play bridge in her bridge club,and go the beach with the group. She was a joy to be around. My heart breaks for her family. God bless you.
Coach, Johnny and Jamie –
So sorry to hear of the passing of your wife and mom. I have many fond memories of her as I was hanging out in the Penley basement with Johnny during our Hall Fletcher, Lee Edwards, Asheville High, and Appalachian State days. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jon(ny) Pierce
my heart is heavy with sadness. We have lost one of the most wonderful women I have ever known. She and James were like family to me and my sisters. My parents loved both of you. I shall never forget how good you were to my father during his illness. I love you both. James,Jamie and Johnnie please know my family is here for anything you may need. God be with you and bring you peace during this difficult time.
To the family of Pantha, our bridge club at the Library will miss her so much, she enjoyed playing bridge and talking with all the girls, she was a lovely person and I share in your sorrow, may God bless your family and know that she is now walking hand in hand with our precious Lord.Fondly, Shirley Colagerakis
It is difficult to say goodbye to an old and dear friend. The end here is just the beginning. ‘Goodbye’ for now, see you later.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to James, John and Jaime.
Jim, my heart breaks for you. I know we all will miss Pantha. Please know you and your family are cared for by so many people. Be kind to yourself right now. Sue Harris
Coach Penley, Johnny and Jamie,
I was saddened to learn of the death of your sweet wife and mother. Pantha was such a kind soul. She was a devoted wife, mother, friend and teacher to countless youth in the Asheville community.
As a lover of the game of bridge, I had many conversations about strategy and finesse. Pantha and my wife Pris enjoyed each other too. I remember Pantha commenting on the amethyst ring we had given my Mom. After Pris’ death, I gave your Mom one of her amethyst rings. You would have thought I had given her ‘the moon!’ I remember seeing her wearing it proudly many times when I would see her at church.
Longview Road has lost two great ladies in the past few months…both were great friends, neighbors and Moms.
I regret I will be able to be with you on Thursday as you celebrate her life. Please know that I care and share deeply in your loss.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
To Jim and all the family,
We were so sorry to hear of Pantha’s passing. She was a dear lady. May God give you grace, and comfort you with loving memories.
All our love,
Bill and Sylvia Milholen
To the Penley family:
It is with sadness that I write this note and I trust that God will give all of you the peace and comfort that only he can give in these dark days. I have so many fond memories of Pantha and Jim that go way back in time…when life was much simpler and times were good.
I regret that I will not be able to attend the service on Thursday, but all of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Tommy Koontz
Dear Coach Penley, Johnny, and Jaime,
I am very saddened to learn of Mrs. Penley’s passing. Although I did not know her well, I have felt throughout my life a special kinship with the entire Penley family based on my wonderful relationship with the Coach, which dates back to 1959 when I was a seventh-grader at Hall Fletcher.
Coach, in those old days you were always there for me with advice, support and encouragement. These were things that I greatly needed in that difficult time of life. You should never underestimate the impact that you had on me. I hope and believe that I am a better person for having known you. I know many others feel the same. I have no doubt that Mrs. Penley had similar impact on students and friends through the years, and they will think of her fondly at this time.
You have my sincerest sympathy and best wishes at this sad occasion and know that I am here for you if ever I can be of service to you and yours.
As always, warmest personal regards.
Dear Coach Penley, Johnny, and Jaime,
I am very saddened to learn of Mrs. Penley’s passing. Although I did not know her well, I have felt throughout my life a special kinship with the entire Penley family based on my wonderful relationship with the Coach, which dates back to 1959 when I was a seventh-grader at Hall Fletcher.
Coach, in those old days you were always there for me with advice, support and encouragement. These were things that I greatly needed in that difficult time of life. You should never underestimate the impact that you had on me. I hope and believe that I am a better person for having known you. I know many others feel the same. I have no doubt that Mrs. Penley had similar impact on students and friends through the years, and they will think of her fondly at this time.
You have my sincerest sympathy and best wishes at this sad occasion and know that I am here for you if ever I can be of service to you and yours.
As always, warmest personal regards.
Jim, Jaime, and John,
I am so grateful for our reconnection in the last few years. Pantha was such a beautiful presence and loved by so many. I am grateful to have known her and for the many gifts she shared with our family.
I think of her spirit now circling Tye’s. There’s beauty in that, I think.
I am here to help in any way you need.
Much love to all of you. Fran Harris
I had the honor of being one of Ms. Penley’s students in the late 80’s at Hall Fletcher. She made the transition from elementary school to middle school easy. She always challenged you to do your best and made you realize that you could reach your goals and dreams. She was the true meaning of the word teacher. My prayers are with her family at this difficult time. May God give you peace and joy knowing that we will see her again someday.
Coach,
We are sorry to learn of your loss and want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
What a shock to hear of Pantha’s passing. Gary knocked on your door a couple of weeks ago when he was out biking and drove past a few days ago, but you were gone both times. Pantha will be remembered for her love of her church and its mission and for passing along her passion for learning to her beloved students. Also, her love and devotion to Jim and her extended family were a great example to us all! May God comfort and bless you all. We hope to see you when we return to Asheville.