Lorraine Penninger's Obituary
Edna Lorraine Williams Penninger
Lorraine Penninger, 88, of Huntersville, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025, with family by her side. Born April 25, 1937, in the Olive Branch community of Marshville, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Winfred Lee Williams and Edna Baucom Williams.
Lorraine began her career in education as a science and mathematics teacher in Denver, Colorado. Later, she joined Norlin Library at the University of Colorado, where she continued her studies. After returning home to North Carolina, she joined the J. Murrey Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte, where she served as a reference librarian for 30 years. In 1974, she received the NCNB (now Bank of America) Award for Teaching Excellence.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Franklin McKinley Penninger. Frank and Lorraine shared a passion for flowers, music, and good food. Entertaining family and friends was their specialty, and they enjoyed traveling throughout the Carolinas during their retirement.
Survivors include her siblings, W. Lee Williams, Jr. and Susan Williams Griffin; her sons, Randy, David and wife, Jennifer, Jon and wife, Joy; her grandchildren, Jason, Jordon, Christopher, Gabriela, Samuel, and James (to whom she was affectionately known as “Ma P”); and nieces and nephews.
A funeral service to celebrate Lorraine’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 17, at James Funeral Home, 10520 Arahova Drive, Huntersville, with Pastor Mike Davis officiating. The family will receive friends and visitors preceding the memorial service beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 8600 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, Huntersville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the J. Murrey Atkins Library Fund at UNC Charlotte.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
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