Rufus Ellis Pennington completed his 69-year adventure-packed journey on this side of heaven June 17, 2024. He was born October 24, 1954, to Norma Cahoon Pennington and Terry Ellis Pennington Jr. in Memphis, TN. His family moved to Byhalia in 1968, where he was later married to his high school sweetheart Rosemary M. Pennington, who was his devoted companion for 51 years until separated by death. While completing his travel assignments for the Iron Workers Union, he founded Pennington Welding Shop and Crane Rental of Byhalia, MS in 1977. Rufus was a fervent servant of the Lord Jesus Christ since his youth, faithful father and grandfather, deacon at Faith Baptist Church of Barton, MS for 40 years and a Gideon. He was a selfless member of his community through the Chamber of Commerce, local employee training, and 41 years of emergency work with the Byhalia Volunteer Fire Department.

Rufus' legacy lives on through his wife Rosemary, his children Alicia Marie Graham (Doug) of Memphis, TN and Russell Ellis Pennington (Amanda) of Byhalia, MS, and his grandchildren, Gaven Rose Waldrop, James Ellis Pennington, Silas Hudson Pennington, Jonah Blaine Pennington, and Emma Jane Pennington. He also leaves behind his siblings Curtis Oldham Pennington (Lynne) of Byhalia, MS, Brenda Fay (Pennington) Branstetter (Kenny) and Michael Martin Pennington (Debbie) of Chattanooga, TN, Annette (Pennington) Crum of Heth, AR, Bennie Earl Davis Jr. of Crystal Springs, MS, and Michael Eugene Davis of East Prairie, MO.

Rufus was preceded in death by his father, mother, stepmother Carolyn Ann Pennington, stepfather Bennie Earl Davis Sr., half-sibling Bert Lee Pennington, and stepsiblings Thomas Jasper Davis, Paul Edward Davis, and Sherry Lynn (Davis) Haggins.

His celebration of life will be held on June 22 at Faith Baptist Church, 3964 Hwy 309 North, Byhalia MS, with visitation from 11AM to1PM and service at 1PM.  Interment will follow at Forest Hill Memorial Park-Midtown, 1661 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN 38106 at 3:00 PM. All are invited to a time of joy, fellowship, and storytelling at 6 PM back at Faith Baptist on Saturday, June 22nd.  Love gifts can be sent directly to Rosemary via CashApp @ $RoseP1954, or memorials to Faith Baptist Church at P.O. BOX 878, Byhalia, MS 38611 and Gideon's International.