Jimmie Nell Penland, age 75, surrounded by love, passed away peacefully June 7, 2019 after a long fight with Alzheimer's. She was born on December 8, 1943 to Eva Shuemake Adams in rural Dallas County, Texas.

Born the last of nine children to a recently widowed woman, Jimmie was strong. She was named Jimmie after her father, Benjamin "Jim", who died prior to her birth. Her mother's grief and financial status gave way to Jimmie living her first 5 years of life with her Aunt Pearl and Uncle Otto. This made for one tough cookie.

Jimmie left home at 14, staying with grown siblings until her marriage to Jack Edwards at the young age of 17. She and Jack had three boys that kept Jimmie very busy. She would later divorce and remarry Shannon Penland, who had 2 kids of his own. They had a daughter and adopted another, rounding out the total to 7 children between them. They were a Brady bunch of sorts without cameras, a maid and all the polyester.

Jimmie had a need to be needed. She devoted herself to her children and was part of the PTA and homeroom mom for them all, bringing snacks and making stockings for the entire class. She was very involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

She had many different careers in her lifetime, but none as satisfying as her last. Jimmie, having never finished high school, went to college in her 40s to become a licensed daycare director. She was most proud of this. She loved kids, and as hers were leaving the nest she found others to dote on. The more ornery the better. Jimmie had this incredible ability to make children know that they were seen. She was able to nurture children in a way that many were unable to. She loved the children who felt unlovable. They were her true passion.

She loved reading, Jesus, singing, going to church, making people laugh and four letter words. She always told the truth even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear.
She is preceded in death by parents, Eva and Benjamin Adams, husband, Shannon Penland, brothers, Buddy Adams, Jack Adams, DF Adams, Virgil "Tuffy" Adams, sisters, Jewel Adams Carpenter and Pauline Adams Chinske, grandsons, Chance Penland and Gage Edwards, and granddaughter Tiffany Ash.

Jimmie is survived by her siblings, David Adams and JB Adams; children, Wesley/Kathy Edwards, Tommy Edwards, Eddie Edwards, Dana Evans, David Penland, Patiricia (Penland)/Amy Ashton, Roxanne Penland; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Her love and sense of humor lives on in the hearts and lives of her family. Remember, life should never be so serious that you can't laugh at yourself a little. As she would say, it is what it is.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 30, 2019 2pm at Agape Metropolitan Community Church in Forest Hill.

~~~~~In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Ms. Jimmie's Outreach for Children~~~~
https://my.simplegive.com/App/Form/e0d3abb1-9bd6-42ae-954f-207b39f20c7a