Clark Wellington Pennell
November 12, 1921 ~ December 29, 2008
Resided in:
Weaverville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Clark Wellington Pennell, Sr., 87, of Weaverville, NC, died on Monday, December 29, 2008, at his home. He was an educator and school principal for 35 years. A native of Lenoir, NC, he was a son of the Carl Wellington and Ora Haas Pennell. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Rex Wilson Pennell, Ned Hill Pennell, and his sister, Dorothy Pennell Porter.
Mr. Pennell served in the 690th Field Artillery of the United States Army during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He was in five major combat battles: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.
After receiving his B.S. and M.E. degrees from Western Carolina University, he began his career in education at Weaverville High School in 1949 teaching mathematics, biology, physical education and coaching all sports. In 1951, he was appointed principal of Weaverville High School. He later served as principal of A.C. Reynolds High School and Lee H. Edwards High School (currently Asheville High School). In 1973, he was appointed principal of Shelby Junior High School, in Shelby, NC, and returned to Buncombe County six years later as principal of North Buncombe High School. He also served as Associate Superintendent of Buncombe County Schools. He retired in 1984 after 35 years working in the public schools.
During the years Mr. Pennell worked, he was active in education circles, twice elected president of the NC State Division of Principals and served eight years on the Board of Directors. He served five years as a consultant with the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges and was a charter member of Western Carolina University's Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, receiving its Outstanding Educator Award in 1975.
After retiring, Mr. Pennell was a member of the Buncombe County Teaching Fellows Scholarship Committee for 12 years and was chairman of that group for eight years. In 1998, he was honored by the Buncombe County Board of Education which named the new Weaverville Elementary School Office Complex in his honor.
A member of the First Baptist Church of Asheville and the King's Workers Sunday School Class, he served as deacon for several terms and on various church committees. He was a loyal friend of "Meals on Wheels," and enjoyed making his deliveries each week for 12 years.
Mr. Pennell is survived in death by his wife of 61 years, Virginia Cope Pennell, a native of Asheville; his children, Clark W. Pennell, Jr., and his wife Beverly Dent Pennell of Bald Head Island, Ann Pennell Bolinger and her husband Woody of Weaverville, and Laura Pennell Brazil and her husband Ron of Asheville; five grandchildren Matthew Clark Pennell and wife Linda of Monroe; Amanda Pennell Lindler and her husband Chris of Charlotte, Carol Love Bolinger of Weaverville, Benjamin Eugene Bolinger, of Weaverville; and Jonathan Clark Brazil of Asheville; great-grandchildren Emory Pennell of Monroe and Wyatt Linder of Charlotte; and brother Jack Boyce Pennell and his wife Tiny of Lenoir.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 2, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Asheville, with the Rev. Guy Sayles officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
His family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, 146 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801, and Habitat for Humanity, 4170 Long Beach Rd., Southport, NC 28461.
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I grew up hearing stories about Mr. Pennell from my parents and their days in school, evidently my mother (Judy Banks Wilson) knew him well. I had the privilege of having Mr. Pennell as my principal at NBHS (class of ’87) for one year. He treated everyone with respect and always seemed to care about each and every one of his students.
We thank you for sharing him with so many; and we thank him for his service to his country and to his community. God bless you all.
Was sorry to hear about Mr. Pennell. I was with Class of ’66 of AC Reynolds.
Our Love and Prayers are with the Family!
Ann
To The Pennell Family:
We are very saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Pennell and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Mr. Pennell no doubt had a positive effect upon the lives of so many students during his career, including ours. May his family take some comfort in knowing that Mr. Pennell will be remembered by so many with fondness and respect.
To the Pennell family, We are sorry to hear of your lost. I truly admired Mr. Pennell as a principal at Shelby Jr. High, and was glad to see a picture of him recently at the Shelby High 30th reunion with Laura. I know everyone will miss him, but just remember of all the young lives he has touched over the years. A little bit of Mr. Pennell lives on in each of us.
Our hearts and prayers go out to your family.
The Boswells
Dear Pennell Family,
I just want to thank you for sharing Mr. Pennell with everyone thru the years. He was loved by so many teachers and students during his years as an educator. If everyone was as dedicated to their job as he was this world would be a better place. He was just and fair in his dealings with students. Our faculty at Reynolds had a special nickname for him, we called him ‘Tiger.’ We all missed him when he left Reynolds to go to Asheville High, our loss, their gain.
It has been my pleasure to be able to talk to he and Virginia thru the years at First Baptist on Sunday mornings. He loved his God, his family, his Country and his church.
I will be thinking of you during this difficult time and my prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with you.
‘Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Love in Christ,
Ethel T. Jacobson
‘Jake’
Ann,
I was so blessed to have spent many special times in the Pennell house as a child. Your dad was a very special person and a great leader for Asheville High. His humor was enjoyed through out our childhood. He loved life and his family. Keep the memories of him close, knowing we all will have a special memory of your dad to cherish.
Love,
‘Duckett’
In Clark Pennell we have lost a truly accomplished and great-hearted man, who gave himself generously to the many who are better today because he walked with us, shared in our joys, and comforted us in our distress.
Jesus said:
“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.â€
A place is prepared for us, and at the end of darkness comes the dawn.
May God’s love be with you, until we meet again in the green fields of Home.
Thank God for men like Mr. Pennell. He was my principal at AC Reynolds High in 1963-64 and was known as tough but fair. My thoughts and prayers are with the Pennell Family. May your memories sustain you during this difficult time.
Clark, You and your family are in our thoughts now and in the days ahead.
Dear Family,
What a loving man, I can always remember his kind smile.
I don’t think he ever forgot a student that he came in contact with.
It broke my heart to read of his passing but I will see that kind smile when we meet again. I ask the Lord to comfort the family in this time of loss.
Teresa Massey / North Buncombe High School. ‘Class of 85’
So many memories of my most favorite principal. He was our principal at A. C. Reynolds when I was in 9th and 10th grade and bailed me out of many ‘situations’ brought on by my actions.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I’m sure he will be missed.
Met Clark and family 1934, attending Lower Creek Baptist Church,he became my friend and companion. We lived daily together from Sept. 1940, until WWII ended and discharged Sept. 1945 from Ft. Bragg. I spoke with Clark 10 days ago. Clark was always ‘A CLASS ACT.’ Loved his family, honored his God.
He will be missed.
I am very sad to hear of Mr Pennel’s passing. He was my princpal at A.C. Reynolds. I graduated in the class of ’63. He attended our 45th reunion this past year. He was one of the finest persons that I have ever known. We all had respect for him. I will miss him and so will the entire class of ’63 from Reynolds.
The Pennell Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Clark’s death. This man was full of integrity,a gentle spirit, and a great personality and was my first principal when I came to Asheville High in 1972.I presently serve as Pastor of Enka Baptist. I certainly will be praying for you in these days and know that he is with the Lord.
God Bless and keep you in these days!
The Pennell Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Clark’s death. This man was full of integrity,a gentle spirit, and a great personality and was my first principal when I came to Asheville High in 1972.I presently serve as Pastor of Enka Baptist. I certainly will be praying for you in these days and know that he is with the Lord.
God Bless and keep you in these days!
We were sorry to hear of Clark,s death. He is fondly remembered by many staff and students who knew him when he was Principal of Shelby Junior High School.
Many of us had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Pennell as students at Reynolds as well as the other schools he served. He was always approachable, fair and had a very distinctive way of holding his chin in his hand as you were answering the question he had just asked.
You always had his attention, sometimes more than you wished. He seemed to know everything always. He attended one of our reunions and brought back many wonderful memories.
Prayers and thoughts to his entire family. We will miss Mr. Pennell.
Larry Stewart, President, Sr. Class, AC Reynolds, Class of ’67 and Bunnie Silver.
WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR OF MR. PENNELL’S PASSING. HE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON AND A GREAT INSPIRATION TO HARVEY AND I. HE HAS ALWAYS SHOWN US THE WAY AND WE ARE GOING TO MISS OUR HIGH SCHOOL LEADER. HE WAS SUCH A JOY AT OUR 45TH CLASS REUNION.(JUNE 2008)
I send my thoughts and prayers to the family and knew Clark Pennel when I attended Weaverville School when I was just 12 years old. Had moved there with my parents from Pa. back in the 50’s! I am very sorry to hear of his passing. Gods blessings to you all!
My prayers are with the family. I am so thankful for the guidance Mr. Pennell gave us through my school years and his friendship with my parents. He was a wonderful & well respected principal. I am very sorry to hear of his passing. Class of 1973 Asheville High.
Dear Pennell Family,
He was a great and wonderful man. He touched all of us who were lucky enough to know him. May God be with you in your time of need. Remember his smile, his laugh and he will always be with you.
Sue Gray Snead and Mike Gray
Clark was a dear friend who was genuinely interested in the people he worked with and for. His sincerity was always evident when he had his famous eye-to-eye conversations with you. I will miss those meetings. A gentleman who set the bar high for working with young people. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
It was a wonderful experience to have him as my 8th and 9th grade principal at Weaverville as well as the principal at Reynolds High where I did my student teaching. He was a man of the finest character and we all will miss him. God’s blessings to his family!
Mr. Pennell was principal at Weaverville when I attended, and was always a caring and devoted mentor to his students. He is one of few teachers I knew during those times, who remain so vivid in my memories. He knew each of us by name, and treated us with love and respect.
My thoughts and prayers are with those left behind who loved Mr. Pennell.
To: The Pennell Family
Mr. Pennell was my Principal at Reynolds High School in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. I am from the Class of ’65. He had so much integrity and was always fair but firm. He and my Dad, Francis Huntley, also in the school business, were best of friends. I saw Mr. Pennell several times at the steak house in Mars Hill a few years back. He always made time to come to the reunions. He was that kind of man. Mr. Pennell, you’re the greatest! You will be sorely missed. Leaders like you are few and far between. My deepest sympathy to the family. I share your loss.
Clark & Family
I was saddened to read of Mr Pennell’s passing away. He provided many fond memories of our high school years. As far as I can remember I was only on the bad side of his office once (holding hands in the hallway). His leadership during my high school years still follows and helps me today.
Please accept my thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Dale Wright
Class of 1966
Dear Family, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Mr. Pennell has moved to his final home! How glorious for him! When he came into my life I was quite upset. I had failed Algebra I in my freshman year, so I had signed up for an easier math for the following year. If you knew him, this will not come as a surprise that he overruled my choice. I took Algebra I again and got an ‘A’! To overcome that failure was a step among many that happened in school while he quided us with a father’s love and correction. One of the many memories of such a wonderful man! His influence will not be completely known until we all are united with him in heaven. I am so thankful to have had him in my life!
Dear Virginia,
I was sorry to read of Clark’s passing in today’s Asheville-Citizen. I was reminded of those years at Western Carolina when I came to know you and Clark. Too, I was reminded of Clark’s working with a troubled nephew when he was a student at Lee Edwards.
Clark’s many contributions to eduction, his community, and his faith are an outstanding tribute to a life well-lived.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Betty McCraw Marston
Clark Pennell was one of the most inspirational people in my life.
In 1950 Clark Pennel lead the Weaverville Boys Basketball team to win the most tournaments that could ever be won in Buncombe County. After the last win at the Enka Regional Tournament it was declared a team could not enter this many tournaments.
Mr. Pennell did not simply lead winners in sports but he lead men and women to be winners in life. He did this by being strict and at the same time being supportive and taking each moment as a ‘teaching moment’ for life.
My life has been greatly influenced by knowing him and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To The Pennell Family Mr. Pennell will be greatly missed for he was a caring and devoted principle when I was at North Buncombe. He also was a principle when my mom was in school. He really cared about the students and their problems and he really listened to them too. My family prayers and sympathies goes out to the family at this time of need.
For all the Pennell family, I was a graduate of Lee Edwards in 1968 and I have fond memories of Mr. Pennell. He was always honorable and fair with his students. While walking the halls he would take time to greet and speak to us all. Even as the years went by, whenever I would run into him, he would still take time to check up on my life. You are well aware of his honesty and character but I want you to know there are many former students who appreciated him as well.
Mr. Pennell knew how to get the best side out of students of all sorts. He was principal of Lee H. Edwards where I graduated in 1970 and did much to smooth out those tumultuous times, stressing community and scholarship. When my mother was a resident at Beverly Assisted living several years ago, I enjoyed getting reaquanted with him, as he also had a family member there. He and all his family are in our prayers today.
As a 1987 graduate of North Buncombe, I only had the privledge of his final year. He left an impression that carried thru my life. Thanks to him for his spirit & my heartfelt condolonces to the Pennell Family!
I am so sorry for your loss. He was the most caring and compassionate man I have ever known. I am a 1972 graduate of Asheville High and he was our Principal. He cared about his students and wanted all of us to succeed in life. He always inspired me to do my best in all endeavors no matter how hard. He had the greatest smile. What a wonderful man! My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
The world has lost a beautiful man! My condolences, Clark, Jr., to you and the rest of your family. I remember Mr. Pennell so well – fair, honest, friendly, and respected. I well remember him walking the hallway at Reynolds, arms crossed, cigar in mouth, and just nodding toward a classroom if someone was lingering in the hallway! He attended my parents’ (Noah and Martha Fulghum) 50th wedding anniversary and it meant so much to them. He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Teressa (Fulghum) Jackson
Clark Pennell, What a man! On our first meeting, with a twinkle in his eye, he stated that he used to sing good night to my wife before I ever knew her.
He was correct. As coach of the Weaverville Football Team he’d use the lodge owned by my wife’s father which was across Big Ivy Creek from their home in Dillingham, NC. He’d have the team line up at bed time and croon across the creek, the song of that period, ‘Goodnight Irene…see you in my dreams.’
Clark became a great friend and colleague.
He had an aura about him which offered love and commanded respect.
He is one among legends and has joined the greats.
Love and prayers to the family,
Ken Richards and Irene Dillingham Richards
I only had Mr. Pennell as a principal for one year before he retired, but I had a deep respect for him and still do. I’ll always remember that he was a ‘no-bull’ type of person. My mother also had Mr. Pennell as a principal. She signed the guestbook but wanted me to add that she was a graduate of AC Reynolds (1965).
Steven Briggs, NBHS Class of 1987
Death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.Ecclesiastes 7:2. Mr. Pennell prepared well to his destiny. I remember his smiles and he could still recall all of the trouble we could stir up. Blessings to the family. How inadequate my words to express my feeling of sadness. He will always hold a special place in my heart and the class of ’67 AC Reynolds.
I have known Mr. Pennell for many years and he was always the same every time you saw him. He was always happy and made you happy to be around him . My husband (Ray Shelton ) graduated from Weaverville High School in 1954 and my son Jackie Shelton graduated in 1980 from North Buncmbe High when he was principal there. Ray loved Mr Pennell dearly and would tell things he would let him do during school. We later got to see him at the ballgames his grandson and my grandson( Patrick Shelton ) played together. He never changed. We will all miss him. My sympathy to all the family. Shelby Jones Shelton
Virginia and FamilyWe were saddened to learn of your loss and extend our sincere sympathy. Kathy and Cecil Tallent
My deepest sympathies to the Pennell family. Mr. Pennell was an exceptional man during exceptional times at Asheville High School (Class of 1972). I am grateful that he was there to lead us through that difficult period and provide us with some happy high school memories too. God bless you all.
Dearest Pennell Family,
I was sorry to hear of Clark’s passing. He was a wonderful principal and mentor to so many people and will be greatly missed.
The family are in my thoughts and prayers.
My Deepest Sympathy
Dear Family,
What a wonderful person he truly was.
He made such an impression on me and all who have known him. He was my principal at Weaverville Primary School in 1955. I was in the first grade, he always remembered me every time I saw him.
I pray for Gods’ comfort and peace for you. Psalm 29:11 The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Patsy Rice Edwards
Asheville, NC
Almost everytime I think of high school I think of Mr. Pennell.
It was amazing how many of the student’s name’s he knew.
Very good man!
Class of ’73 AHS
To the Pennell Family,
My deepest condolences to you all on the passing of Clark Pennell. I had the fortune to know him well as a 1971 AHS graduate and I say that with deep affection for Clark who knew first and foremost how to be a friend. We all weathered the trials of the integration and riots the fall of 1969 and my diploma is framed with Clarks signature as a 1971 spring graduate. The COUGARS live on and what a gorgeous building and setting it is as me and my friends still enjoy many Friday night football games there. Clark Pennell stands out as one of my many cherished memories from those fun years at AHS. The integration problems he handled well and were more a product of a decade of problems and losses we all shudder to remember even today. My path in life will always be a better road because of the friendship my high school principal, Clark Pennell, gave to me. God Bless Him in his new life and the hope we will meet again.
Billy Warlick
MVP 1971 AHS golf team
Words escape me to express my memories & fondness for first my principal & then my childrens’ .The integrity,fairness,firmness & gentleness this man guided us with was truly a gift !How he remembered each students name & then the parents later was truly a gift. It was with awe that we loved him & did not want to see his anger .We need more like him now.Earths’ loss is Heavens’ gain & I hope knowing he was so well thought of will help you his family get through this heartbreaking time.Please know that thoughts & prayers are for you now & in the days ahead .
Family of Clark Pennell,
Jerry and I were saddened to read about the passing of ‘Mr. Pennell’,a most beloved and cherished memory. Jerry was in the Class of 65 at ACR and I was in the Class of 66. Having worked with, and in, the local school system, and having a daughter who teaches in the system now, I would have to say that Clark Pennell is the best principal I ever knew or knew of. So many have said it so well! He had such honor, personality,compassion and wisdom. I was called to the office one time and that was for holding hands in the hallway.(why he didn’t call Jerry I don’t know). It was an honor and privilege to have had this man in our lives. I only wish we could have had more involvement with him through the years. God Bless you, Mrs. Pennel, Clark and the rest of his beautiful family! Our loss is heaven’s gain and we will all see him again!
Sandra Greene Dotson
Class of ’66,ACR
Mrs. Pennell and family,
You are in my prayers as my mentor, your husband, father,and grandfather joins God in his heavenly home. I never reflect on my years at AC Reynolds without thinking of how thankful I am for the guidance, understanding, discipline, and support from Clark W. Pennell. May God bless you!
Class of 65
I am very sad to hear of the passing of Mr. Pennell. I am honored to have known him. He has touched so many lives. He was a wonderful person and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this time. Mr. Pennell was a joy to know, and he will be missed my many.
Eloise Farias and sons Valdy and Erik Borchgrevink
Dear Mrs. Pennell & Family,
We were greatly saddened to learn of Mr. Pennell’s passing. We extend our deepest sympathy and love. Our thoughts and prayers are with and for you. We shall treasure our memories of him.
Bill & Phyllis Yost
To the Pennell Family:
Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God grant all of you the peace that only He can give during the loss of a loved one.
Mr. Pennell was very special to me and I shall miss him very much.
Tommy Koontz
Dear Pennell Family,
Mr. Pennell was my principal at NBHS. I will always remember him leading the ‘GO BLACKHAWKS’ at the pep rallies. He was truly a great man. I will keep each of you in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so very sorry to hear about Mr. Pennell’s death. I admired him when he was my principal at Reynolds, and that respect has grown throughout my life. I can truly say, after a lifetime in education, that he is one of only a handfull of outstanding principals I have known. He not only knew all of his students, he truly cared. Even years after graduation, he always knew who I was when we met. As a member of the Class of 1966, I had the opportunity to visit with him at our reunions.
The number of lives that he touched in a positive way would be hard to calculate.
I am very thankful to have known him.
Know that Mr. Pennell will be missed by many. He was my principle at Lee H. Edwards/Asheville High School during some very tense and treacherous years. He was a true gentleman and professional! What a blessing it was to have him as ‘our leader.’
Seek your peace with the LORD as only he can give. Again thank you for sharing your husband, father and grandfather with so many young people.
To the Pennell Family, you were blessed to share a life with Mr. Pennell. He was special and will be truely missed. I was a member of the class of 1963 at A. C. Reynolds. I had a great admiration for his attitude to all the students. He knew how to be a father to all of us. We had our class reunion this year and some had said that they didn’t think he would be coming but in the midst of our gathering, he came in with that special smile and greeted us all. He will truly be missed but we will meet again.
Clara Spake Owenby
dear virginia, my thoughts and prayers are with you this day and always love nell badgett
Mrs. Pennell and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We will remember you in our prayers.
Mr. Pennell was a wonderful man and principal.
– Dottie Ray, North Buncombe High School ’86, Reggie Ray ’82, and Hilton Ray ’81
Dear Ann and family,
I know you are saddened by the death of your wonderful father. Please take comfort in knowing that he was loved by all that were fortunate to know him. He was one of the reasons I chose education as a profession 37 years ago(class of 72).
Ann and Clark and family, I was so sorry to see where your father had passed away. He was a wonderful person and will always remember his smiles. Ronnie talked so fondly of him and had so many stories to tell when Clark,Jr and him would get in to messes at school. He loved to tell the story where him and Clark,Jr had done something that they should have not done, and it made no difference in that one of them was his son. Also your father treated our daughters like family….when our oldest daughter, Donna was just starting to school, she would get off the bus at NBHS and your Daddy would be there everyday that he could to meet her and give her a ride on one of his feet. They have many memories of what a wonderful, loving and caring man he was. He touched many lives in his life and I know that he made a difference in so many….I know of four for sure that he did. May Our Lord bless your family with the wonderful memories and give you comfort in the days ahead. I am sure that they are catching up on things in Heaven as they always did when they would see each other. All my love to all of you, Debi Hester