Pencie W. Wester

Pencie W. Wester Pencie W. Wester, 102, from the Inwood community near Grand Ridge "departed from this world to the glorious world above" on July 23, 2008. She passed away at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Billie and C. A. Dickson. Born to William Fowler and Cindona Bathsheba Windsor, in Boaz, Ala., on June 19, 1906, Pencie Audry was the last survivor of her family. She was pre-deceased by both parents; her brothers, Edd, Earl and Hobart Windsor; and sisters, Dean Windsor, Eunice Windsor, Nettie Howard and Fannie Jo Johnson. "Miss Pencie," as she was affectionately called by many, was married to W.W. Wester in 1931. He was tragically murdered in 1938, leaving her with four young children of age 2 months to six years. Miss Pencie taught school for over 35 years, all in Jackson County with the exception of a partial year in Holmes County. She was an avid gardender who loved plants passionately and shared them from her yard with people far and wide. She was a charter member and first president of the Sneads Carlisle Rose Garden Club. She remained quite active with the club until the time of her death. Miss Pencie had been the oldest surviving alumna of Chipola College, having been among the first persons to register for Chipola. She was honored for that reason at Chipola's Homecoming in 2006. State Attorney Steve Meadows honored her by appointing her as an Assistant State Attorney in 2007. This was a cherished event for both Miss Pencie and her family. A dedicated Christian and member of the Grand Ridge Baptist Church, Ms. Wester was known for her love of God and people and her commitment to missions. She served as Chipola Baptist Association Women's Missionary Union President in years past and has promoted any effort to spread the gospel to others. Her beautiful handiwork has been given to literally hundreds of others, and many of her elementary school students praise her for having taught them the art of crochet. Particularly does one former student who, as a result of an automobile accident, is confined to a wheelchair and attests to the blessing that being able to crochet has been to her. Miss Pencie was a 75-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, with membership in Marianna Chapter No. 129. She had served as Worthy Matron and Grand Instructor of this OES district. She is survived by her daughters, Billie Dickson (C.A.) of Inwood, and Jeanne Pelt of Tallahassee; her son, Jack Wester (Nell) of Inwood; and one stepdaughter, Elee Glisson of Sneads. Her youngest daughter, Rebekah Harrell, died in 1973. Three grandsons, Maury Harrell, Gregory Harrell and Luke Pelt, also pre-deceased their great-grandmother, as have two stepdaughters, Nettye W. Chancy and Annette Bevis; and one stepson, Emmett Wester. Beloved to Miss Pencie were her children and grandchildren. How blessed was her family that included five generations. Surviving are six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Each truly arises to call her "blessed among women:" Grandchildren, Chuck Dickson, Joe Pelt (Barbara), Penny Edwards (Terry), Sam Runfalo (Aaron), Jacquelyn McArthur (David) and Will Wester (Patty); great-grandchildren, Chad Dickson, Charli Dickson, Jeremy Edwards (Christy), Joseph Edwards (Barbara), Tirzak Edwards, Noah McArthur, Madison Wester, Amelia Ann Wester, Grace Wester, Olivia Wester, Willa Wester, Rebekah Guy, Rachel Pelt, Jayson Pelt (Wendy) and Julie Pelt; great-great-grandchildren, Kayla Marie Edwards, Desiree Edwards, Jonathan Edwards, Gavin Guy, Caleb Guy, Jordan Guy, Conner Guy, Grace Knight, John Michael, and Luke Pelt Jr.. Three stepgranddaughters, Nettye Jo Bennette, Jean Bevis and Gayle Wideman also survive, as does one stepgrandson, Burton Wester. Visitation will be Thursday, July 24, from 6 to 8 p.m., at James & Sikes Maddox Chapel. Services to celebrate her life will be at the Grand Ridge Baptist Church, Friday, July 25, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Carpenter Cemetery. Officiating at the Celebration of Life service will be the Rev. David Stuart, the Rev. Chester Padgett, the Rev. Bobby Etheridge, Dr. Wiley Richards, Dr. Jerry Oswalt and the Rev. Robert Johns. Pallbearers will be grandsons Chuck Dickson, Chad Dickson, Jeremy Edwards, Joseph Edwards, Will Wester and David McArthur. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of the Grand Ridge Baptist Church, her Ladies Sunday school class, members of the Order of the Eastern Star and members of the Carlisle Rose Garden Club. Memorial contributions can be made to the Florida Baptist Children's Home, 8415 Buck Lake Rd., Tallahassee, FL, 32317; Campus Crusade for Christ International, 100 Lake Hart Dr., Orlando, FL, 32832; or Covenant Hospice, 4440 Lafayette St., Marianna, FL, 32446. James & Sikes Funeral Home - Maddox Chapel is in charge of arrangements.