Obituary: Emily Pennington
La Grange- Emily Lucille Richardson Pennington, 77, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Formally from Linden, Texas; she was the best friend and supporting wife to Warren Hampton Pennington for 58 beautiful years of marriage and she was the sweetest Mama and best girlfriend and cheerleader to their only daughter, Theresa Adelle Pennington Ruesch (Brian Ruesch). Emily was born in Memphis, Tennessee on August 6, 1948 to the late Leon Richardson and Lucille Ross Richardson and spent her growing up years in Pine Bluff and Crossett, Arkansas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Bruce Richardson and her sister Lisa Henderson.
After marrying Warren in August of 1967, the two of them travelled to Lubbock, Texas where Emily worked for Western Union and Warren was in the United States Army. It was there in Lubbock that Emily made the most important decision of her life and that was to repent of her sins and be baptized into Christ Jesus. On that day, she was added to the Lord’s church and started down a path of helping Warren lead their family to love the Lord and follow Him. It was with this dedication and promise in mind, that Emily was committed to all of her life and helped her be a wonderful Wife, Mama, Nana to her grandsons and great grandchildren, and Sister and Friend to all she encountered.
During their time in Lubbock, Texas; Warren was deployed to Vietnam where he served two tours there. After he came home, he was stationed at Homestead AFB where their daughter was born. Eventually after Warren was discharged from the Army, he earned his Bachelor’s degree. and MBA and CPA. Over the life of Warren’s career, Emily’s family spent time in several locations including Louisiana, Arkansas, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas. During her lifetime, after her most important roles of Wife, Mama and Nana; Emily spent her career in various roles such as a bookkeeper and office manager which helped prepare her to eventually run her own business as CEO of Intricate Solutions, a background screening company. Her background also helped her help Warren when he decided to start his own CPA firm in Georgia and then also in Texas.
After her love for the Lord, her family and friends; Emily had a few hobbies and interests. They included a love for sewing, antiques and home décor, and cooking. She was an extremely good cook and could sew beautifully. She even sewed her daughter’s wedding dress which was absolutely gorgeous!
Emily is survived by her husband, Warren Pennington; daughter Theresa Ruesch (Brian Ruesch); grandsons Jacob Ruesch (Nicole Ruesch), Christian Ruesch (Hannah Ruesch), Tyler Ruesch, and Benjamin Ruesch; great-grandchildren James, Evelyn and Delta Ruesch; sister Vicki Pahal (Tommy Pahal) and brothers Jerry Richardson (Lori Richardson) and Jeff Richardson (Galina Richardson) and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Friday, December 19, 2025 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home. A service of love and remembrance will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home with Mr. Lennie Reagan officiating. Committal will be held at the Eastern Carolina Veterans Cemetery at 12:00 noon on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, NC 27534. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
