Rebecca (Becky) Pennel Young, 88 of Springfield, left this world just past midnight on November 16, 2023 to rest in the bosom of her family and friends who left before her.
She met the love of her life, Charles Young, at Tatum Chapel in Greene County. Their well-loved children, Chuck and Karen, had tons of fun growing up. Becky worked in schools in Waukegan, IL; Anchorage, AK; Bossier City, LA; Torrejon, Spain; Montgomery, AL; Willard MO; and Springfield, MO.
After moving to Springfield, she was the principal organist at Grace United Methodist from 1974-2000. She continued to play at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Campbell United Methodist, and at the Baptist home in Ozark where she lived from 2017-2023. Her membership in the American Guild of Organist and Keyboard gave her great pleasure.
She made history in 1972 by becoming the first woman elected to the school board of Willard, MO. Her organizational skills were relied on by First Baptist Church when she became the Financial Secretary and help usher the church into the modern age using computers to manage data. She also managed Dennis Smith’s Missouri State Senator Springfield office during his tenure.
She is survived by her daughter Karen (Lyndall) Dodson, son Chuck (Deana) Young, brothers Leon (Judy) Pennel and Don (Jean) Pennel, sister-in-laws Patsy Pennel, Diane Pennel, Paula Pennel, and Georgia Herod, grandchildren Christopher (Sarah) Dodson and Stephen Dodson, great grandchild Charlie Dodson, nieces and nephews, and so many friends.
Visitation will be at Grace United Methodist 600 S Jefferson, Springfield MO on November 21, 2023 at 10:30 am with service to follow at noon.
Burial will be at 2 pm at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield MO.
So in lieu of flowers please donate in Becky’s honor to Salvation Army, Convoy of Hope, Habitat for Humanity, or The Baptist Home of Ozark MO.
Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home is taking care of the final arrangements.