MARY ELLEN PENN

Mary Ellen Trawick Penn, age 67, passed away at her home in Port St. Joe, FL on May 30, 2017. Mary Ellen was born September 16, 1949 in Donalsonville, GA. She left this world to join her parents, Branda G. (Popsy) Trawick and Irene Goodwin (Memaw) Trawick along with her oldest brother Hugh Maxwell (Max) Trawick. She is survived by her husband, Paul S. Penn, Jr.; her children Richard E. Squires, Jr. (Molly), Jessica Squires Rish (Jay), Paul S. Penn, III (Megan) and Michael Penn (Amira); her siblings, Juree Trawick Hornsby (Jimmy), Brandy Trawick Jr. (Atherlone), and Richard Trawick (Sandra); her twelve grandchildren, Riley, Hannah and Miller Penn, Mikayla and Lina Penn, Ella Grace and Abigail Squires and Joseph, Caroline, Kathleen, Max and Thomas Rish; as well as many nieces and nephews. Mary Ellen graduated from Seminole County High School in 1967 and attended Abraham Baldwin College. She began her working career at Donalsonville Hospital before moving to the Department of Family and Children Services. Mary Ellen held many positions in the hospital industry including Assistant Administrator at Minnie G. Boswell Memorial Hospital in Jackson, GA. She was also a first class bookkeeper, and helped run the farming operation of her brothers and the real estate endeavors of her son, Richard and son-in-law, Jay. She was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Donalsonville, where she resided most of her life and always considered “home”. Her many hobbies included sewing, knitting and baking; skills she lovingly passed on to many of her grandchildren. Mary Ellen’s life was one of love and service to others, especially her children and grandchildren. Even as sickness ravaged her earthly body, her dedication to them never wavered; whether traveling many miles to attend events or knitting a baby blanket, her love and spirit was always present. Her profound presence will be greatly missed, but she has left an indelible mark on their lives. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 5 2017 at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Evans-Skipper Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Trawick and Rev. Jimmy Hornsby officiating. Interment will follow in Friendship Memorial Gardens. Her nephews, Alan Hornsby, Payne Hornsby, Michael Hornsby, John Streets, Keith Trawick, Yancy Trawick, Richard Bishop and Tony Johnson will serve as active pallbearers. Her nieces, Adaire Bishop, Mandy Johnson, Andrea Lambert, Tonia Streets, Geeja Mims, Brandi Jill Chance, Angie Hornsby and Claudia Hornsby will serve as horary pallbearers. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening, June 4, 2017 from 4:00-6:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to MD Anderson Cancer Center or Seminole County Warpath on Cancer.