Rev. Charles Penuell
Memorial services for Rev. Charles R. Penuell, age 79, of Choudrant, are scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Douglas Church near Ruston with Rev. Jeremy Jones and Rev. Roger Rayburn officiating.
Visitation will be held from noon until time of service at the church. Services are under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Charles was born June 19, 1944, to the union of Lane and Pauline Holstead Penuell and passed away Friday, December 22, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.
After Charles graduated from Choudrant High School and Louisiana Tech University, he taught at Benton High School (where he met his future wife, Lynn) and Benton Elementary School. From there, he moved to Houston, Texas, to complete his masters thesis. He returned to Ruston and began working at Pabco insulation when it opened in Grambling.
He remained there until his retirement. Charles became a lay speaker in 1991. One day he received a call asking him to go to Athens UMC, in Athens, Louisiana, for two weeks. As God would have it, he remained at Athens UMC as their preacher for 13 years.
He then served at Wesley Chapel UMC, Quitman UMC and New Hope Dodson UMC Charge. Until wo months ago he continued to serve Quitman Community Church, Dodson Chapel, and New Hope. Charles’ greatest joy was his family, reading, and service to the Lord.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers- in- law, Buddy McDaniel and Larry Baker; beloved uncle, Cecil Holstead and aunt Katie Holstead; and very close relatives, Jim and Polly Penuell.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Lynn Penuell; one son, Jason Penuell and wife Ashley; five grandchildren, Alban Penuell, Lillian Penuell, Dayton Penuell, Stetson Penuell and Lawson Penuell; two sisters, Sue Lane McDaniel and Mary Roselyn Baker; one brother, Larry Penuell and wife Cindy, all of Choudrant; and a host of other relatives and many friends.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Steve Matlock, Teddie Rayburn, Mike Oddo, Freddie Spigener, Alban Penuell, Chris Love, Dwight Lamkin and Stephen Gaar.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Douglas Church or Quitman Community Church. A special thanks to Dr. Stewart Bundrick and his staff at Willis Knighton, and Blain Owens for his guidance and concern for our family.
