Dr. Phillip Wayne Pennington

Having lived a long, fulfilling, and blessed life, Phillip Wayne Pennington peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

Phillip was born on May 31, 1940, to Phillip Delton and Jayne Kelley Pennington. He was born, reared, and lived most of his life in Crossett, Arkansas.  After graduating from Crossett High School in 1958, he began his undergraduate education at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. After his success at UAM, he enrolled in The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, where he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree (DDS).  In 1965, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard and served over two years in Boston, Massachusetts, where his only child Shelly was born.  

For many years, Phillip served the families of Ashley County from his private dentistry practice in Crossett, and thereafter in the Wilmot and Dermott Mainline Health System Clinics.  He loved his work and had genuine compassion for his patients’ well-being. His love and appreciation for his patients and colleagues pushed him to practice dentistry until he retired at the age of 78.

Throughout the community, he was loved and admired for his mild-mannered, caring personality.  Thoughtful and kind, he was a man with an enormous heart and a love and concern for everyone.  His love for his wife, daughter, grandchildren, and family was immense.  He enjoyed time with his family, visiting with his friends at local restaurants and coffee shops, playing golf, watching college football and movies, and going out to eat.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends, many of which he would call and text almost daily. 

Phillip is survived by his bride, Janice Carolyn Johnson Pennington, whom he adored every day of their 58-year marriage; his loving daughter, Shelly Barnett and her husband, Todd; and their children, Taylor, Jake, Billy, and Ben Barnett, all of Houston, Texas; and his brother, Bobby Carrel Pennington, and his wife Sadie, of Hamburg, Arkansas.  Preceding and awaiting Phillip are his parents, and brother, Jerry Mac Pennington, and sister, Colen Joyce Pennington Burke.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 22, 2020, at the Crossroads Cemetery in Crossett, Arkansas, with his brother, Dr. Bobby Pennington officiating.  All family and friends are welcome.

In lieu of flowers and for those desiring, please consider donating to the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.

Services entrusted to Medders Funeral Home of Crossett.

The Pennington family would like to express their appreciation to the community for all of the texts, phone calls, and prayers.  They would like to ask all who attend the service to refrain from hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with them, due to the current Covid-19 crisis.  They love you all and they most certainly feel your love for them but their top concern is everyone's safety.  Thank you.

Medders Funeral Home is complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and the Arkansas Govenor's mandates.  All attendees must provide and wear a face mask and comply with social distancing and sanitizing guidelines.

Those that are considered high risk, running fever, or have been recently exposed to someone positive with COVID-19 are encouraged to stay home to protect themselves and others.

There will be no recording or live streaming of the service per family request.

A downloadable service program will be made available at the bottom of this page on the day of the service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Phillip Wayne Pennington, please visit our floral store.