Ralph Edward Pennell,

Ralph Edward Pennell, age 97, of the Ellendale Community passed away on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at Valley Nursing Center in Taylorsville.  He was born in Alexander County, NC October 16, 1914, to the late John W. and Maggie Sharpe Pennell.  He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 and worked in the ship yard at Newport News, VA during World War II.  He is retired from Little Oil Company where he was employed for 35 years.  He attended Antioch Baptist Church.  For a number of years he served as the church financial secretary and was also the secretary for his Sunday School Class and various other committees.  He was an avid golfer and was a charter member of the Brushy Mountain Golf Course.  He won the Senior Olympic State Championship several times and placed 15th in the National Senior Olympics in St. Louis, MO.  He also enjoyed bowling and fishing.  In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife, Mano Meadlock Pennell; one brother, Mack L. Pennell, Sr.; two sisters, Elizabeth P. Stockton and Margaret P. Wilson; two half-brothers, Carl Pennell, Ernest Pennell; two half-sisters, Bertha Hedrick and Ethel Poteat; a step grandson, Eric Shook and a step granddaughter, Crystal Robbins.  He is survived by one son, Ralph Pennell, Jr. and wife Wanda, of Taylorsville; one daughter, Blondell P. Shook and husband Robert, of Taylorsville; three grandchildren, Craig Westmoreland and wife Peggy; Malena Morrison and husband James, of Taylorsville; and Heather Losada and husband Fernando, of Hilton Head, SC.  Two step grandchildren, Tom Westmoreland and Virgina Barker.  He had four great grandchildren, eleven step great grandchildren and eight step great-great grandchildren.  Mr. Pennell also had three special caregivers in his life; Diana Farris, Nancy McRary and Jean Yount.  Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 1, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Alexander Funeral Service.  Funeral service will be held at Antioch Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 11:00 am.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Officiates will be Rev. Gary Jennings, Rev. Dennis Spivey and Rev. Mark Morris.  Memorials may be made to Antioch Baptist Church @ 580 Antioch Church Rd, Taylorsville, NC  28681 OR Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley @ 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.