Dewey Eugene "Gene" Penn

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Mr. Dewey Eugene "Gene" Penn, 78, of Gosnell, died Friday in his home. Born in Half Moon on May 24, 1935 to the late Guthrie and Opal Crane Penn, he gave his life to the Lord several years ago and was a member of the Baptist faith. He was a veteran who served his country for four years in the United States Army. He was an avid fisherman and his family says he was the best BBQ man in the world and he always had people asking for the recipe for his BBQ sauce.

His family said he was a great dad and a great granddad. He never missed a birthday, a holiday or any other special event -- he was always there. He had a great sense of humor. A granddaughter said they used to go to the BBQ stand just to hear stories and jokes that he and his friends shared. He had a lot of friends because he never met a stranger.

His son-in-law said "He was like a father to me. I've known him since I was 14. He was my best buddy and my fishing partner."

Penn told his grandchildren within the last two weeks that he was going to get to go to heaven and see his family and friends that have gone before him.

In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lindsey Brooke Branscum, a step-daughter, Lisa Rose McGee, and special relatives Mitchell and Virginia Penn.

Mr. Penn leaves his children, Jeri-Sue (Paul) Fitzgerald of Las Vegas, Nev., Mike Penn of Blytheville, Gina (Richard) Branscum of Burdette, and Beth Penn of Blytheville;

His grandchildren, McKinsey Branscum and Sydney Branscum both of Burdette, Christy (Randy) Moore of Gosnell, and Eric Vega of Blytheville;

His great-grandchildren, Dakota Moore, Chloe Moore, and Brock Moore all of Gosnell;

His brothers, Jerry (Linda) Penn of Las Vegas, Nev., and Ronald Penn of Blytheville; and

His sisters, Nancy Alexson of Las Vegas, Nev., Carol Moody of Blytheville, and Lana (Kevin) Gray of Paris, Tenn. He also leaves his ex-wife, whom he was married to for 27 years, Rose Penn of Blytheville.

Other special friends and relatives include: Jeff Wallace, Les Moody, Cillicia Penn, Gary Hall, Gary Wayne Simmons, "Burrhead" Simmons, Jerry McNeely, Tommy Carney and Carol Moody who was a special sister to him.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Carney Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Tommy Carney officiating. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. until service begins. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to " h.i.s. ministries", P O Box 1921, Blytheville AR 72316.

Condolences may be offered at www.carneyfuneralhome.com.