Helen Pennington

Gaffney, SC - - Helen Duke Pennington, 84, of 601 Beech Street, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Spartanburg Medical Center.

Born in Statesville, NC, she was the widow of the late Essel Pennington and daughter of the late George Anderson Duke and Naomi Benfield Duke.  She retired from textiles, was a member of the Salvation Army Church, and volunteered with the Salvation Army for eight years.  She loved her family, flowers, bird watching, bingo and was an avid Carolina Gamecocks fan.

She is survived by three daughters, Shiela Ripley (Tony) of Shelby, NC, Teresa Frishkorn (Ryan Shannon) and Wanda Jones (Chris Long), both of Gaffney; two sisters, Mary Pennington of Gaffney and Margaret Connolly (Robert) of Hiddenite, NC; fourteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Payne, a son, Michael Eades, a sister, Eva Mae Bell and four brothers, Billy Duke, George Duke, Troy Duke and Roy Duke.

The family will receive friends from 10:00AM until 11:00AM on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Blakely Funeral Home.  Funeral services will follow at 11:00AM in the Blakely Funeral Home Chapel with Major Lisa Davis officiating.  Interment will be in the Westview Gardens Cemetery in Bessemer City, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Salvation Army Church, 601 Colonial Avenue, Gaffney, SC 29340.

The family will be at their respective homes.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC