Leona Mae Penn

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Funeral Services at Walters Public Schools Auditorium, Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:00 am, Rev. Roger Noland officiating under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters. Interment in the Walters Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Walters Public Schools Music Department, 418 S. Broadway, Walters, OK 73572.

Leona Mae “Tonie” Penn was born to Ira Russell and Ethel Etta (Monroe) Goodsell on May 15, 1928 in Tulsa, OK and departed this life in Duncan, OK on September 2, 2024 at the age of 96 years, 2 months, and 18 days.

Tonie came to Walters from Tulsa on Thanksgiving Day at age 4. She was to stay for a months visit but never left, living with her Aunt Sadie and Uncle Eyota Stevens. She started 1st grade in the same building she would later teach in. She graduated from WHS in 1946. She attended Cameron Junior College and then Central State College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree. She married John Appling Penn, Jr. on December 31, 1950 in Walters, to the union 2 sons were born and the family made their home in Walters. Tonie did her student teaching at Union Valley from 1950-51, teaching 4th and 5th grades and HS Music. She then taught at Addington from 1951-52, teaching 4th and 5th grades, HS Music and HS Commerce. She came to Walters Public Schools in the fall of 1952, teaching in junior high for several years before teaching grade school music. With taking a break for a time during the 1950s, she taught a total of 27 years at Walters, retiring in 1985. 

Tonie was a member of First Christian Church. She and Johnnie were very active in the community for many years, were members of the Jaycees, and bowled in league. She taught swim lessons for many years and was a founding board member of the Miss Walters Pageant with which she remained active in numerous capacities for many years. She was an artist, a seamstress, baker and loved to cook out. Tonie hated heights, big slides, and amusement parks. She enjoyed playing pinochle and canasta, and was an avid OU fan. She loved her family dearly and respected her wonderful friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Johnnie Penn; 2 brothers, Russell Goodsell and Wilbur Goodsell; and a sister, Kay Edwards.

Tonie is survived by 2 sons and a daughter-in-law, Steve and Arden Penn, and Jeff Penn all of Walters, OK; 5 grandchildren, Justin Penn and Kristen of Elgin, OK, Ryan Penn and Amber of Walters, Chace Penn and Brandy of Lawton, Tessa Hvarven and Bill of Comanche, OK, Austin Penn and Kaylee of Comanche; 12 great grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; other relatives and friends.