I don't know why something made me want to Google Ms. Penland today and I discovered she died last year. What an incredible person she was! My sister had her in 5th grade at Merrill Road and I (a 3rd grader at the time) developed a friendship with her, going to her portable after school and chatting with her till invariably they'd come over the intercom to say I needed to report to the carloading zone where my mom was waiting. She was my teacher in 5th grade in the inaugural class at Don Brewer. I think I was somewhat of a teacher's pet / her favorite. Every day she'd give me money and I'd go get her lunch from the cafeteria and then stop by the teacher's lounge and give a teacher money to get a diet dr pepper for her. It's funny now to think she was kind of like a  grandmother to me; she looked out for me and I'm glad I could help her with some of her mobility issues. One time a student was making fun of me because of my hair and she could tell I was upset so she told me to stay after class and reassured me nothing was wrong and that I shouldn't pay the student any mind. 

Ms. Penland coached the brain brawl team and she was an ultimate trivia nerd. Her class was so edifying and fun. And, as many others on this page have indicated, she had all sorts of wonderful pictures, artifacts, and stories from her travels around the US and all the way to Alaska in her van. What a fascinating person! She had a glimmer in her eye and a wonderful sense of humor and a great laugh. 

I remember one of the students on the brain brawl team was in a tough spot because his mom got a job in Louisiana and he had nowhere to live to finish out the school year (or he'd have to move). She took him in and he lived with her for the rest of 5th grade/ elementary school. Only now can I begin to appreciate how charitable and selfless that was.

In the intervening many years since she was my teacher, I've gone on to study and had a few opportunities to teach too. Looking back, I realize what a tremendous teacher Ms. Penland was, in every sense of the word. I'll be lucky if I'm a quarter the educator she was, dedicated to her student in everything and so powerful at imparting knowledge. I will never forget her and I'm so much better off for having "crossed paths" with her. I hope she knew how loved she was and what a difference she made in this world. May she rest in eternal peace. 

I was just about to write you to tell you about my PhD graduation. I wish I would have reached out again sooner although we've always communicated over the years. Ms. Penland was my 5th grade teacher and neighbor. My brother and I would go over to her place all the time to visit and play with her dog Sadie. She always wanted to keep up with me throughout the years and always expressed how proud she was. You will truly be missed!!

I knew Tona from Merrill Rd Elementary.  I was Record Clerk and she was an amazing 5th grade teacher.  We ate lunch together almost every day - she was a delightful and fun friend and I will always miss her.  She always had good stories to tell and (most always) a big smile on her face.  0nce when several faculty/staff were going to a funeral, of course Tona was going to drive (she always drove!)  She told me to make sure I sat in the passenger seat of her van because that's where her dogs rode and she knew I wouldn't get upset by dog hair! When my children and I moved from the area in early 90's she wrote me a poem (she did that a lot) - Tona and other Merrill Rd people meant so much to me and were so supportive as I was going thru a difficult time 

I was so glad to find her on Facebook few years ago and do a "catch up".  When she was still at Pine Gate in Macon a couple years ago, my husband and I were in the area and we went by.  She had arranged an overnight room there for us and she & I talked and talked and then talked some more. What a great visit. I have read her books and know how difficult some things were for her to write about but I'm  glad she did. 

RIP my friend  Tona. 

Ms Penland was my 5th grade teacher at Merrill Road. One of THE best teachers I ever had. She left such an impression on my childhood. I will miss her. Rest peacefully Ms Penland ❤️

Tona Penland So sorry to see this!!! 😪 Ms. Penland was my 5th grade teacher and my favorite teacher out of all. I reconnected with Ms. Penland on Facebook and she got to see me grown up and commented on how proud she was of me and who I became. I was just surprised she remembered me, but that is who she was! She'll be forever missed!!! ❤️ 🙏

Ms. Penland  was my 5th grade teacher, my first "favorite" teacher and the most influential. She was the first teacher to put me on a stage, in an actual role. Not just the class assembly plays that every kid does. I was Uncle Sam in "Our Country Tis of Thee." She made me a Safety Patrol and was the first person to teach me First Aid/CPR. On a field trip to the Alhambra Dinner Theatre, we saw "Shenandoah." It was tedious. It is a boring show. During intermission, Ms. Penland said to me "You'll be on that stage one day." I replied, "I'm gonna have to be. Are you watching this cast? They're awful. I should go up there now. They could use my help." She laughed so hard, she spit her gum out. She seemed to always be chewing gum. I envied the way she could hide that because it was "against school rules." I never graced that particular stage, but I did perform on many others because of her. Because she believed in me and told me so. I have thought of her many times over the years and she will be missed.

Dear Tona I can’t thank you enough for what you did to help Brittany. You were truly a huge part of her success.

Graduating from High School — with Tona and her comanion Honor Grads

I first met Tona about 43 years ago when I started teaching at Merrill Road Elementary. I remember the exact place where we were standing . I asked her if she wanted to eat lunch together as we were both new to the school. It was like I had known her all of my life. We taught fifth grade together and I  was in awe of her ability to get the students so excited about American History. She was full of empathy and love for those students that needed it. We always kept in touch through the years. I will miss her friendship. 

Mike and I have known Tona for 50 +/- years and shared every life experience imaginable as young and old adults.  She has helped me raise my son and grand kids in fun and not so fun times.  We have laughed, eaten Krystal Burgers at midnight, cried, begged and prayed, she has tutored Deke (my son) and all three of his children, and we have traveled from Alaska to Jacksonville on a crazy and exceptionally fun adventure.   The last three years have been difficult and she is now able to spend all of her time playing with her dogs, talking history with Mike and able to move about unrestricted.  She will live in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved her and who are better people because of her.  

Tona loved spending time with her friends - in person and on the phone. She loved teaching and tutoring children. And she loved her dogs...forever.

Sharing my college days with Tona led to a lifelong close friendship that I shared with my family. My sons' summer vacations growing up usually included a trip to see Tona in Jacksonville. We both felt it was fortunate to spend more time together during her last years.