May 28, 2021 ~ September 15, 2008
Alva Dudley Penny, age 87, died at his home in the Almira community, near Linden, Texas on the evening of Sunday, September 14, 2008. He was born to Cass County residents, Samuel Lonus Penny and his wife Lula May Cox on May 28, 1921 in Russellville, Pope Co, Arkansas. After the deaths of his parents as a small boy, he and his older brother, J. L. were raised in the loving home of his maternal aunt and uncle, Minnie and Charley Betts Hampton. Shorty came of age in the Cornett community, attending the Methodist church and elementary school there while growing up on the farm. He graduated from Naples High School in 1940 and enrolled at Sam Houston State where he attended one semester before transferring to East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce. His education was interrupted by World War II, where he enlisted in the Marine Corp and served his country in the Pacific theatre guarding air and submarine facilities on Johnston Island. Upon completion of his military service, he resumed his education at East Texas and graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of science degree in Industrial Education and his teaching certificate. He earned his Masters degree the following year. Dudley secured a position with Stanolind Oil Company working off shore from Alvin, Texas and in 1950, transferred to a gas plant in Andrews, Texas. There he met and married Joyce Ray Jones on June 3, 1951 in Midland, Texas. They had four children born to them. In August 1961, to secure a healthier environment for his children, the family moved to Buckeye, Arizona where he and Joyce secured teaching positions in the elementary school, where he taught 7th and 8th grades and drove a school bus. During the summers, he drove gasoline trucks or drilled water wells for local companies. They raised their children in this farming community and taught 22 years before retiring in 1983. During this time, Dudley was active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Demolay with his boys. In 1989, Dudley realized his dream of returning to live in Cass Co on property that had been in his family since 1853. Active for 59 years as a Master Mason, he was a member of both Avondale Lodge 42 A&FM and Marietta Lodge 1181 AF&AM while steadfastly attending the Linden lodge as well. He served two terms as Worshipful Master while in Buckeye. A member of the Order of Eastern Star since 1964, he had served 8 terms as Worthy Patron in Buckeye and in Linden chapter 576. He was a current member of the Scottish Rite and the El Zaribah Shrine Temple in Phoenix as well as Linden's Lyles-McDaniel Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6968. He has gone to join his beloved wife of more than 50 years Joyce, his son, James Dudley Penny and his granddaughter, Dalene Michelle Brown Dreyer. He is survived by his daughters, Joy Lynn Brown of Abilene, Texas and Marilyn Ann Pennington of Linden; his son, Samuel Ross Penny and wife, Janice of Mesa, Arizona; grandchildren, Heather Elise Brown of Abilene, Texas, Adam Michael Pennington of Portland, Oregon, Amanda Marie Jones of Linden, Ryan Nathan Penny of Buckeye, Arizona and Alan Lee Penny of Mesa, Arizona. Three great-grandchildren; Cody Allan Dreyer-Grief of Mollalla, Oregon, Reilly Austen Brown-Lewis and Aaron Chevelle Lewis of Abilene, Texas as well as his sister, Elnora Wells of Cornett, his brother, Winston and Helen Hampton of Naples, Texas, and Gary Pennington of San Angelo, Texas. Visitation will be held at the Reeder-Davis-Schindler funeral home in Linden from 6 pm to 8 pm on Friday, September 19th. Funeral services with Masonic rites will be held at Reeder-Davis-Schindler Chapel at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 20th. Burial with military honors will follow at Floyd Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 3100 Samford Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103 or Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX. 75219.
Guestbook
May he rest in peace walking with Aunt Joyce and cousin James. I hope you get to hold your brothers hand again. I love you Uncle Dudley!
Dudley,I remember you giving me a present for Christmas in 1942, I believe, just before you went overseas. Lots of good memories over the years.
How do you say goodbye to a beloved uncle. He was always there for me and I loved him very much. He will light up heaven with his love.Sue Penny Bradberry
I was so sorry to hear of Dudley's passing. He was truly a kind and caring man. I enjoyed visiting with him a year ago and telling him how I still remembered from my childhood his family's annual Christmas letters.
What a joy it has been to know you. You patiently taught me where my Fletcher/Penny roots were (literally). Walking thru the woods with you to where my grandfather was raised and telling me family stories will be in my heart forever. My grandson, DJ, remembered you and Ross teaching him the harmonica at my house. There are many happy memories that I will treasure always. We talked by phone so many times but I am especially grateful that we talked Saturday night. You will be missed. Love, Louise
Shorty & J. L. were our Mother's favorite cousins. Shorty was special to all of us because we knew him better and I always enjoyed talking to him about past family. He was a good man.
-I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Mr. Penny and his family as I read his obituary and messages submitted to the guest book. We are thinking of your family as you gather for visitation this evening. May you be comforted. -Your frien
I rode the school bus to Naples High School with Dudleyand we both graduated the same year. It was a joy to be in the his company as he was a "fellow well met".
Mr. Dudley was one of my heroes. He served faithfully as my Worthy Patron and was always a delight to be around at chapter. I have memories of him I'll always cherish. They don't make'em like him any more. God bless you all.PattiReeder-Davis-Schindler Funeral Home office
always enjoyed talking to Mr shorty. He will be greatly missed, My deepest sympathy
On behalf of the officers and members of Omaha Chapter #997 Order of Eastern Star, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss our brother.
THINKING OF YOU.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family. You are in our prayersRex & Marion Sands
Ross sorry about the loss of your father.
Uncle Dudley, you are home now! I wish I could have made it to see you…I was always so happy when I got to see you! I love you very much! You are all four together again!