Shelby Jean Pennington

Shelby Jean Thurston Pennington, age 83, of Corbin, KY, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Corbin Health and Rehabilitation.

She was born March 11, 1940, to the late Jack and Edna Thurston of Corbin. She was raised at Good Hope Baptist Church. She was saved and baptized and became a member of Central Baptist Church under Rev. Bill Jones in 1954. Over the years, she sang in the church choir and taught Sunday school.

She graduated from Corbin High School in 1958 and was the Mathematics Salutatorian of Cumberland College in 1961. She loved teaching math to Corbin High School students for over 25 years. She also tutored students free of charge for over 50 years. She loved to travel and went to over twelve countries and all fifty states. She was married to the love of her life for 63 years, Kenneth Pennington, who preceded her in death on October 15, 2021 and will be memorialized and buried with Shelby.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Denise Dawn Pennington, and a sister, Glenda Brinker.

She leaves behind her son, Christopher Pennington (Rebekah), brother, Billy Jack Thurston (Juanita), sister, Delores Higgins (Glen), and many friends, students, and relatives.

Visitation will be held from 3-5pm on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home, where her funeral service will follow at 5pm with Rev. Bobby Joe Eaton and Rev. Josh Pollitt officiating.

Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in Corbin, KY.

Arrangements by Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home, where messages may be written to the family at vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com