Mrs. Frances Maree Williams Pennington

Mrs. Frances Maree Williams Pennington, age 97, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Born on December 4, 1927, in Paducah, Kentucky, Frances was the daughter of the late Alvin Percy “Mike” Williams and Mary Lena Bell Williams. 
Frances was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Earl Pennington, Jr., whom she married on December 27, 1946; her son, Robert Earl Pennington III; her great-granddaughter, Molly McKeel; and her daughter-in-law, Clair Hines Pennington.
She is survived by her daughter, Claudia Ann Pennington McKeel, and son-in-law, Daniel McKeel of Murray, Kentucky; five grandchildren: Lucy Hines Smith (Sid Smith, Sr.) of Houston, Texas; Mary Hines Droesch (Edward Droesch) of New York, New York; Michael Scott McKeel (Julie McKeel) of Paducah, Kentucky; Andrew York McKeel (April McKeel) of Murray, Kentucky; and Joseph Daniel McKeel (Sarah Wilson McKeel) of Houston, Texas. Frances also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren: Elijah McKeel; Catherine McKeel; Solomon McKeel; Tanvi McKeel; Isabelle Smith; Sid Smith, Jr.; Charles Droesch; and Lucy Droesch.
Frances had an extraordinary memory and a passion for genealogy; she would spend hours recounting family stories to anyone who would listen. Frances was an accomplished sewist who made everything from an E.T. costume to matching sport coats for her husband and son.  She designed and constructed beautiful stained-glass windows, most notably of a Case tractor for her son-in-law’s business.  Additionally, she was the first female office manager for the Diamond Shamrock Corp. in Cleveland, Ohio. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity were hallmarks of her character—giving to others was her lifelong motto.
Frances’s greatest joy came from being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, especially during family gatherings where she could capture everyone together in a photo or celebrate a birthday. She will be dearly missed for her love of Texas Longhorns football and cherished family traditions, like toasted snow squares and sweet potato casserole.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the following organizations: Columbia Theatre Restoration Project   https://columbiaarthouse.org/ or to the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, 803 Poplar St., Murray, KY 42071    https://tinyurl.com/mr3rt6j3
The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com