Helon Ivalon Pennington

Helon Ivalon Pennington, a longtime resident of Brenham and Independence, died Sunday, November 6, 2016. Helon was 89 years old.

Visitation will be held at Brenham Memorial Chapel on Saturday, November 12, 2016, from 12:00pm until 1:00pm, when the funeral service will begin. Guests are invited to stay for a reception immediately following the service. Interment will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Helon was born on August 3, 1927 in Madisonville, Texas, to parents Robert Quantrell Wasson and Annie Lucille Wasson. Helon graduated from Brenham High School and was a cheerleader while there. She took pride in attending UT Austin for two years before marrying Robert and starting a family. Before moving back to Brenham, Helon and Robert lived for some years in Houston and Baytown, Texas, where they enjoyed crabbing, boating, spending time at the beach, and taking road trips. She loved to recount memories of dancing in the kitchen with her husband Robert while making dinner. In the 1970’s, Helon and Robert bought property in Independence, Texas, to enjoy life in the country.

In her later years, Helon was active in the reunion committee for Brenham High School, the Prairie Lea Cemetery Committee, and the Independence Cemetery Committee. She also enjoyed donating her time to boxing up food items for charitable donations. She loved spending time with friends and family and enjoyed playing cards and games, doing puzzles, celebrating holidays, and watching episodes of “I Love Lucy.” Family and friends appreciated Helon’s sense of humor, light heart, generosity, and spirited personality.

Helon is preceded in death by: her husband Dr. Robert E. Pennington, her sister Earle Adair ("Potsy") Lange, as well as many other beloved family members.

She is survived by loving family members: daughter Kathleen and husband Jim Elmore; son Robert Lee Pennington and wife Sherry; grandson Dylan Elmore and wife Hsin Hui; granddaughter Dr. Holly German and husband Scott; granddaughters Abbey Pennington and Anna Pennington; and great granddaughters Emily Elmore and Aria German. Many more honored loved ones survive her, Including her longtime friend Steve Jasinski and dedicated caregivers Sharon Hagans and Richel Smith.

The pallbearers will be Helon's 8 great-nephews: Dwight Conway, Ryan Glaesmann,Shane Glaesmann, Dant Lange, Harper Lange, Kevin Lange, Patrick Lange, Robbie Lange. Honorary Pallbearers: Dylan Elmore and Steve Jasinski.

Those wishing to make memorial donations in Helon’s honor are asked to consider the American Heart Association. Please visit www.donatenow.heart.org to learn more.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX. 979.836.3611. Tributes may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.