By Joan C. McKinney, director of university communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – A Celebration of Life service for Jean G. Pennebaker of Campbellsville, a student and friend of Campbellsville University, will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 25 in the Ransdell Chapel.
Pennebaker, founder of the Jean G. Pennebaker Art Scholarship and the William K. Pennebaker Education Award, both at CU, died at 4 p.m. April 21 at her home. She was 80.
Pennebaker, an accomplished artist, was very fond of Campbellsville University and greatly enjoyed taking classes at CU each semester. She enthusiastically supported sports and athletic events, going to most home and away games.
She had her own special chair in the Winters Dining Hall where she ate almost daily while visiting with CU faculty, staff and students.
Pennebaker was born July 2, 1927 in Lexington, Ky., to the late Henry Brantley and Mabel Denny Geldreich. She was married to Dr. William K. “Bill” Pennebaker March 19, 1947. He preceded her in death June 6, 1992. Dr. Pennebaker served as coordinator of student teaching and then became a professor in the department of education at Campbellsville University until his death in 1992.
Pennebaker is survived by three sons: Kirt Pennebaker and wife, Lourdes, of Weston, Fla.; Mark Pennebaker and wife, Alcy, of Corryton, Tenn. and John Pennebaker and wife, Debbie, of Lufkin, Texas; five grandchildren; a special niece, Donna Jean Hutchinson and husband John of Lexington, Ky.; and several other nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
She was also preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.
Pennebaker was a member of Campbellsville Baptist Church.
Expressions of sympathy should be in the form of donations to the Jean G. Pennebaker Art Scholarship at Campbellsville University, 1 University Drive, UPO 784, Campbellsville, Ky. 42718.
Parrott and Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville is in charge of arrangements.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 29 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2008 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and eighth in the South for “Great Schools, Great Prices.” CU has been ranked 15 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.