Ted Lewis Penny

Ted Lewis Penny of Coats, North Carolina passed peacefully from this world to his eternal home on Sunday, November 17th, 2024. There are so many words that describe this great man’s character but the foremost is “A Man of God.” Ted’s life was defined by his love and service to his heavenly Father, his family, church family, friends, and community. Funeral Services will be 11:00AM Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at the Coats United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Paul Cecil. Burial will follow in Coats City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Coats, and other times at the home.

Ted was born December 12th,1938 to the late Talmon & Mavor Penny of Coats. He graduated from Coats High School in 1957 where he met many lifelong friends but most importantly, the love of his life, (Linda) Sue Ennis Penny. Ted attended East Carolina University and was a member of the ROTC. Ted married his high school sweetheart on May 17th, 1958. They later moved to Raleigh where they raised their children; son, Vance and daughter, Angela. 

Although they lived in Raleigh, they would travel back and forth to Coats, kids in tow, at least twice every week. Ted was the choir Director for the Coats Methodist Church for 43 years. Ted and Sue sung in a gospel trio/quartet for over 50 years. Whether as a trio or quartet, the most requested song for them to sing was always “The Lighthouse” which exemplified Ted’s faith to a “T”. 

While in Raleigh, he worked at AMP Inc. in Cary and later Tyco in Fuquay-Varina and made many lifelong friends. Ted and the family moved “back home” to Coats in August of ’77. Ted worked in quality control in the manufacturing industry for over 40 years and retired from Tyco in 2002. In 1980, as a hobby, he developed a passion for wood craftsmanship and started a custom frame shop at his home. His quality control background and attention to detail made this hobby a successful business for 44 years, even receiving “Business of the Year” by the Coats Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ted had a heart for his community and was the first Chairman for the Coats Museum, playing an instrumental part in its conception. He remained on the Museum Board for numerous years. Ted along with Joe Tart conducted interviews with several Veterans of our town and surrounding areas and recordings of those interviews are housed in the museum. Ted, Sue and the children, were recognized by the Coats Area Chamber of Commerce with the “Family of the Year” award in the early 1980’s and he and Sue were inducted into the Coats “Hall of Fame” in July 2024.

Ted became a member of Gideons International of Harnett County in 1983 where he served as President of the local group for a couple of years. He distributed Bibles to hotels, prisons, and schools in the county as well as Campbell University. He occasionally traveled to churches to witness and tell how the Bible impacts our world and the importance of making them available to everyone, always making sure to testify on how important it is to have a relationship with Jesus. 

Ted dedicated his life to serving the Lord in any way possible and not just by using his musical talents. He taught the Young Adults Sunday School class at Coats Methodist Church for many years, worked on several committees and at fundraisers and cleaned the church for over 25 years. However, one of his favorite and most meaningful works of service was in the mission field. Ted participated on Disaster Relief teams from Gulfport Mississippi after hurricane Katrina, to the underprivileged areas of the SC coast, to the NC coast around Little Washington and New Bern after hurricane Florence. He was very involved in missions in Lumberton after hurricane Matthew as well as helping the needy in our local community.

Ted was deeply loved and treasured by his wife, children, and grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was being “PaPa” to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ted was known for his corny sense of humor and never letting a room get quiet. He always had something to talk about. 

Ted is survived by his wife, Sue; son, Vance Penny of Surf City; daughter, Angela (Buster) Stone of Coats; grandchildren, Lindsey (Patrick) Singletary of Raleigh; Cole Penny of Cary; Jeroen (Liz) Stone of Coats; Georgia and Bailee Stone of Coats; great-grands; Frederick, Covington and Theodore Singletary; brother, Kenneth (Gail) Penny of Fuquay-Varina; many neices, nephews, cousins and countless people from all over the country they call “family”. One of the most recent “adoptees” into the family is his Care Giver, Felicia Hernandez. We do not know what we would have done without her faithful servant’s heart these past few months.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Coats Methodist Church, PO Box 388, Coats, NC 27521, or The Gideon’s International of Harnett County for the purchase of Bibles, P.O. Box 740, Buies Creek, NC 27506.

The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements by Rose and Graham Funeral Home, Coats.