Christmas Happiness: Brown Bag Readers give in honor of friend battling cancer

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 11, 2015

By Shavonne Potts

Illustration by Mark Brincefield

By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Nancy Penley always has a smile on her face and a happy outlook on life that has inspired a group of ladies who say they are just grateful to know her. Penley is a member of a book club called the Brown Bag Readers Club, but more than that she’s a member of a sisterhood.

Penley is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer. It’s not the first time she’s been stricken with cancer and she’s always optimistic about the whole situation, said friend and fellow book club member Julie Pinkston.

Penley’s husband died a few years ago and she just had a grandchild who also has some health issues. Pinkston said it would be easy for her friend to just throw in the towel, but “she is just a beautiful person. She takes it day by day.”

The women meet to discuss books and socialize, Pinkston said.

The club started with a group of young women who met for a regular book club and whose members didn’t have much money so they brought brown bag lunches.

“She’s had a lot of support from her church and we’ve tried to support her,” Pinkston said.

Penley also recently retired from teaching.

The money collected from the community goes to the Salvation Army of Rowan County, which distributes the donations to eligible families. The families receive a voucher for each qualifying child. Contributions will be collected through Christmas Day.

Donations may be delivered to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Donations can also be mailed to the Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, N.C. 28145-4639. Make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you want your donation listed.

Thursday’s donations:

• In memory of our parents and in honor of our parents, husband and children by No Name Lunch Girls … $80

• In honor of Susan and Tom Waller and Ann and Allan Rouzer by Peggy and Wade Rouzer … $100
• In honor of our member, Nancy Penley, whose perpetual smile and happy outlook inspires us to be grateful for our health, caring friends and the good times we share by The Brown Bag Readers … $140
• In honor of our children and grandchildren by Brent and Ruby Watson … $50
• In memory of Clayton, Jim and Viola Morris by Rod … $100
• In loving memory Jim, Sue and Mac Sample and Annette and H. B. Bryan by Sue and Sturges Bryan … $100
• In memory of our dear friend, Lynn Brunson by Tamara Morgan and Karen Painter … $25
• In loving memory of my wife Annette Morgan by Jesse Morgan … $50
• Patricia Rendleman … $100
• In memory of Eric Stephen Brooks by The Frankie Adams Family … $100
• In memory of Jean Lyerly by Bettie and Jim Lyerly … $50
• In honor of Carol Cauble by The Ladies Bible Class of Shiloh Reformed Church of Faith … $25
• In honor of Ralph W. Ketner and Virginia Ketner Petty by their sister, Dorothy K. Swing … $100
• Lois Simone … $100
• In honor of our wonderful Sunday School Teacher, John Wyatt by Providence UM Church Adult Sunday School Class … $175
• In memory of Grady Howard by Barbara Howard … $100
• In honor of our teachers:  Suzanne Deal, Judy Lefler, Harriet Fisher, Melinda Wells and Carol Harper by the Brownie Fisher Class at St. Luke’s Reformed Church … $50
• Anonymous … $100
• In memory of our parents by Larry and Sandra McKenzie … $400
• P.H. McKinney Family … $50
• In honor of Salisbury Post Readers by E.D. and Elizabeth Cook … $200
• In memory of David L. Huffman by Peggy H. Huffman … $100
• In memory of our sons Phil Brown and Rick Spry by Margaret and Bob Brown … $25
Total … $2,320
Running Total  … $25,847.12

Corrections:

• In honor of all the people and children who deserve it by the Red Hat Society … $110

• Steppin’ Out Social Club … $25

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.

 

More Local

Salisbury Police and juvenile court system working towards fully-collaborative, streamlined approach

First input session for parks and recreation and senior center master plan is a success

Smiles on stems: Rowan County flower farm joins state-wide land trust

Dan Nicholas Park opens eight new pickleball courts

Print Article