Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada for Mrs. Sylvia Ellen Penton, 92, of Grenada, who died on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at her daughter’s residence. The committal service followed at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11, in the Pinecrest Cemetery in Gautier. The Rev. Eugene Heimbach officiated.
Sylvia was born on July 24, 1933, in Ruleville, the daughter of the late Moran Howell Adams and the late Maudie Lucille Fowler Adams. She spent the majority of her working life as a deputy tax assessor/collector in the Yazoo County Tax Assessor’s Office. While rearing her family in Yazoo City, she was very active in the life of Calvary Baptist Church where she faithfully served as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher. In later years, after moving to Grenada, Sylvia and her husband became members of Emmanuel Baptist Church where they enjoyed many years of fellowship with fellow believers.
A woman of deep and abiding faith, Sylvia was devoted to her relationship with Christ and demonstrated that same devotion to her family, especially her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. She rarely missed an event in which they participated and took great joy in supporting them in every way she could.
Affectionately known as “Mimmie,” “Aunt Syl,” or by other cherished terms of endearment, she had a special gift for making those around her feel loved, welcomed and at home. Always ready to prepare a hot meal for those she cared for, Sylvia shared her love through both word and deed. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, her husband, Floyd Edward Penton Sr.; sisters: Katherine Penton, Dorothy Selby and Irmadine Adams, and brothers: Ellis Adams, Paul Adams and James H. “Buddy” Adams, welcomed Sylvia into Heaven.
Survivors include, her daughter, Diana Davis (Dr. Tom Weldon) of Grenada; son, F. Ed Penton Jr. (Sandy) of Spanish Fort, Ala.; brother, Gerald Joe Adams of Hazlehurst; six grandchildren: Steven Davis, Joseph Penton, Judson Penton, Deanna Arbuckle, Tom Weldon Jr. and Laura Weldon, 12 great grandchildren: Faith Arbuckle, Brysen Arbuckle, Stephanie Davis, Allie Davis, Elias Penton, Judson Penton, Joseph Penton, Theodore Penton, Marjorie Donna Penton, Caitlin Penton, Mary Mac Penton and Cecilia Penton, and Edward Steven Marshall of West Columbia, Texas, whom she loved and regarded as a son.
Sean Adams, Shannon Adams, Brysen Arbuckle, Steven Davis, Joseph Penton and Judson Penton honored Sylvia by serving as pallbearers. Ramon Pierce served as an honorary pallbearer.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
