Aileene Pennington

Dateline:  Cashiers, NC

Early the morning of July 2, 2016 Aileene Pennington of Cashiers gently closed the door to her life here and entered her long sought life everlasting. She was 86 years old. When she was a toddler her Uncles Ham and Paul bestowed the nickname “Tommie” to her and she has affectionately been known as “Tommie” by family and friends ever since. A lifelong resident of Jackson County, Tommie was born in Whittier January 28, 1930. She moved with family to Cashiers in early childhood and remained there the rest of her life. Tommie was a devoted Christian and dedicated member of Cashiers Baptist Church. She loved the mountains, flowers, nature in general and all of God’s creatures, especially birds. Taking pictures, hiking and exploring roads she had never been on were favorite pastimes. Tommie is survived by a son, James D. Pennington (Beverly) of St Augustine, FL, grandchildren, Dr. Catherine A. Pennington of Indianapolis, IN and J. Matthew Pennington (Miranda) of St Augustine, FL; sisters, Bobbie J. Moore of Asheville, NC and Eloise Hunter of Brevard, NC; nieces, Rebecca Kitchen and Sherry Bloedel; and many cousins from the Whittier area. A small family gathering to celebrate Tommie’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cashiers Baptist Church, 213 US 64, Cashiers, NC 28717.

Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Pennington family.  Online condolences may be made at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.