Johnny Pennington

Johnny Jean Pennington, 84, of Pearl, passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at his home surrounded by family. Visitation will be held at Ott and Lee Funeral Home, Brandon on Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 5:00pm till 8:00pm.  Funeral services will be held at Ott and Lee Funeral Home, Brandon on Friday, October 5, 2018 at 10:30am with Rev. Jason Bird officiating. Interment will follow in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.

Johnny was born on March 16, 1934 in Polkville, Mississippi where he grew up with a great appreciation of quiet rural farm life. Having a keen interest in the developing field of electronics, he garnered his technical skills in video electronics in the U.S. Army at Walter-Reed Hospital in Washington DC. in the 50’s and spent his career in television broadcast engineering. Johnny married his wife of nearly 56 years, Flora Hurst, in 1962 and they lived in Pearl. He was a member of Pearl United Methodist Church for over 50 years.

Johnny had a great love for nature and agriculture. In the early 60’s he began beekeeping as a hobby, which grew into a small operation known as Pennington Farms Honey which his family runs to this day. Johnny, along with Flora, was a well-respected academic and contributor to the regional beekeeping community, as he enjoyed graciously mentoring beekeeping enthusiasts.  Over the years, Johnny amassed a prosperous collection of fruiting trees and berries that he tended with great pride and enjoyment.

Johnny was a quiet, gentle man, always available to provide love, support and humor to his family, friends and church community. He is survived by his wife Flora Hurst Pennington; sisters Sybil Russell and Mary Lou Smith; sons John Pennington, Jim Pennington (Sandy) and Jay Pennington; Grandchildren Haleigh Pennington, Hannah Walker, Connor Pennington, Katelyn Pennington, and John Pennington; and 3 great-grandchildren. A host of other relatives and friends.