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In memory of

Mrs. Juanita Williamson Penn

Woodstock, MD

1932 - December 23, 2017

1932 - Dec 23, 2017

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Juanita Penn (Williamson) unexpectedly passed on to be with the Lord at Future Care Long Term Care in Randallstown, MD on December 23, 2017 at the age of 85.

Juanita is survived by her son Kevin Penn of Woodstock, MD; grandson Christopher Penn of Germantown, MD, granddaughter Nicole Penn of Windsor Mill, MD and a host of cousins and close friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Rufus “Rudy” Penn of Petersburg VA, father Vernon “Deacon” Williamson of Petersburg, VA and mother Vivian Williamson (Blakes) of Petersburg VA.

Juanita was born on November 18, 1932 in Petersburg, VA to Vernon and Vivian Williamson as their only child. She graduated from Virginia State College in 1954 with a Bachelors of Arts in Music and was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She married Rufus “Rudy” Penn in 1962 and stayed married until his death in 2000. She moved to New York City after college to pursue a career in music; specifically, opera. She was a vocalist at many churches in NYC including the renowned Riverside Church in upper Manhattan. Some of her concerts were even broadcasted on a local NYC radio station. Once her son, Kevin, was born she began working at Addie Mae Collins Community Head Start Center in East Harlem, NY. She worked as a Social Worker and Music teacher until her retirement. In 2006, she moved to Maryland to be closer to her family. Juanita lived at the Weinberg Village in Owings Mills for 7 years before moving in with her family in 2014. During that time in Owings Mills, she was a regular participant in social activities and volunteered to help disabled residents and served at the in-house coffee shop. Her family and friends remember her as a kind, gentle, patient, non-judgmental person who always had positive encouraging words for anyone she met. She spoke to everyone she met. There was no one that could walk by without her saying hello. She always wanted to show people how thankful she was for any gifts or cards; even to the point of sending thank you cards back to the person that sent her a thank you card for a gift she had sent. She never forgot a birthday and kept a stack of cards in her drawer to make sure she would mail the card in plenty of time. Although there will be a huge void of not having her around, all that knew her, are left with 85 years of smiles, and laughter that will outweigh all the sorrow that may be felt at this time. Juanita would want people to remember the good times and to celebrate her life. She accomplished her purpose here on Earth and now has transitioned on to everlasting peace and joy with the Lord in Heaven.

“Shed a few tears for me now but wipe them away and continue to laugh, love, smile, be a light, share kindness, encourage, believe and trust in our Heavenly Father. My purpose has been met and now I fly among the angels that look over you all until we see each other again”

A funeral is scheduled for January 6, 2018 at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services in Randallstown. MD at 2:00 PM. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Juanita’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org. The family would like to thank the staff at Future Care – Old Court for their support and care during the time she was there.

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