Obituary Barbara A Pennington

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             Barbara Ann Smith Pennington was born in Vaughn, North Carolina on March 20,7944 and she humbly bowed to God's will and quietly entered into eternal rest on Monday, May 1st, 2017 at the Prince George' County Hospital (MD). Barbara is the daughter of the late Zeb McKinley Sutton and Sarah Lee Brown.

 

             She was born on the first day of spring. Spring time is a season that announces the rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal of all things living. The leaves return, the flowers bloom and the cycle of life is revisited. To this end, Barbara was destined to reflect in every aspect of her life, the meaning of spring. What she touched grew, what she nurtured, bloomed. If you were lucky enough to be in her purview, you prospered.

 

             At the age of seven, her family moved to Washington DC. After graduating from Eastern High School, she entered Livingstone College in 1962 and graduated in 1966. Her experiences in college helped her identify her passion to educate our children and youth. Filled with enthusiasm, savvy, fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit she opened the Miniature World Day Care Centers, which focused on providing a unique and unusual learning environment for Parents and students. Herein, as evidenced by her destiny, she nurtured the seeds of our future. She touched them and they bloomed.

 

             In 1989, highly skilled and determined to reach a wider audience, she accepted a position as teacher with the District of Columbia Public Schools, and once again she shined in every way, from her classy dress to her ability to deliver students who consistently exceeded expectations. Based upon her quality of service she was selected by the National Science and Aeronautics Administration (NASA) John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, to create an astronomy curriculum for elementary students. During her tenure with the District of Columbia Public Schools, at Anne Beers Elementary School, she was selected as a special candidate to study at Cambridge University in Boston, Massachusetts where she received her Master’s Degree in Education. She became a science resource teacher in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum where students showcased science projects and excelled. She participated in many aspiring workshops, programs and training sessions in administration. She was nominee for the Walt Disney Teacher of the Year Award. Her strategies in the classroom set a precedent for teachers. Her presence inspired students, and she was the teacher that they will never forget.

 

             After having a very successful career in teaching she retired in 2012. It was her time to reflect and continue to travel the world. Her travel was extensive as she visited the continents of Africa and Asia, and boasted that she had been to almost all the Caribbean Islands. It was in Alaska that she was even spotted kissing a dolphin! Cuba was on her bucket list.

 

             She always knew what she was supposed to do in this life time and she made it happen with ease, aplomb, class and a deep sense of spiritual awareness. She had an exponential landscape and all of us have been blessed by her life. To say that she was extraordinary is an understatement, the lives that she touched will continue to grow and bloom for generations to come.

 

             Barbara had a strong, unwavering faith and love for het Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a spirit being and frequently fellowshipped with several churches: The Unity Church, Liberty Baptist Church and Faith Chapel of Love Ministries, Inc., where her brother André' and her sister-in-law Barbara serve as Co-Pastors.

 

             She leaves to cherish these and other fond memories her brothers, Bernard (Linda) and André' (Barbara), a devoted and loving aunt, Mrs. Bettie B. Thompson, extended family h Richmond, VA., cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.