Mildred “Millie” Frances Penn peacefully passed away on Friday, May 3, 2024, at the age of 81. Millie was born on August 10, 1942, to Harold and Wastella (Johnson) George in Mexico. She was known for her love of her family and a lifetime of service as a public school teacher.
Throughout her life, Millie touched the hearts of all who knew her. She was a devoted spouse with David Penn for 58 years and a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Millie was a public school educator for thirty years with Mexico Public Schools, starting as a typewriting teacher in 1964. With the opening of the Mexico Area Vocational Technical Center in the early 70’s, she transitioned into the role of teaching business technology.
In this role, Millie led the COE (Cooperative Occupational Education) program, personally placing hundreds of high school students into career-starting jobs with employers throughout the Mexico area. In addition, she passionately worked with students in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).
Millie had a heart for young people who were overlooked or in need of a voice. She worked tirelessly to equip them with the skills needed to find work in a world that was taking its first steps into the personal computer age. She then championed those students throughout the community, personally encouraging employers to open opportunities for her students to obtain the job skills that would propel them into a career.
After retirement, she enjoyed pouring her creative energies into making ceramics. Her Christmas creations are treasured pieces in many family and friends homes.
She was a lifelong member of the church that her mother helped to establish, Centennial Baptist Church. Later in life, she found great enjoyment creating and operating the church library and teaching Sunday school. Her faith was strong and gave her a constant source of encouragement and hope for the future.
Millie was preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Stanley Falconer (d.1962) and three siblings Harold Lloyd George, Curtis George, and Mary Lou Wilson.
She is survived by her husband, David, Mexico; three children, Tauna (Falconer) Powell (Allen), Laclede, Michael Penn, Lake St. Louis, and Matthew Penn (Shawna), Mexico; six grandchildren, Jessica Powell, Dallas Powell, Nathan Powell (Heather), Gracelyn Penn, Geoffrey Penn, Michael J. Penn; one great granddaughter, Genesis Powell; one brother, Kenneth George of Mexico; and a sister-in-law, Mary Frances George of Centralia.
A celebration of Millie’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 7 at Centennial Baptist Church in Mexico. Visitation from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by funeral services at noon. Burial will be at Auxvasse Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Centennial Baptist Church, 816 W. Breckenridge Street, Mexico, MO 65265.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com
