Sigma Nu - Theta Kappa - Ferrell L Penland ThK 262

Ferrell L Penland - ThK 262

For more information or to submit photos, please email alumni@SigmaNuGSU.com.

Theta Kappa Brother Ferrell Lovett Penland (ΘΚ 262), age 65 of Macon, passed to Chapter Eternal on Friday, July 6, 2012 in Macon after an extended illness. Born April 4, 1947 in Macon, Georgia, Ferrell was the son of the late Joseph (Joe) Sharp Penland and Nedra "Dee" J. Parker. He was a 1965 honor graduate of Lanier High School in Macon; he went on to graduate with honors in 1969 from Georgia Southern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He went on to attend the Master’s Program at Mercer University. Ferrell was a beloved member of Theta Kappa Chapter, both as a collegiate member and an alumnus.

Ferrell was a member of APO, a National Service Fraternity, the predecessor organization to Sigma Nu Fraternity at Georgia Southern, a member of Nu Sigma local fraternity prior to formal Sigma Nu colonization, and the Sigma Nu Colony at GSU. He and 13 others were fully initiated as alumni into Sigma Nu Fraternity on November 15, 1986 (Ferrell had graduated prior to the Chartering) in a ceremony that attracted over 150 alumni, guests, and Sigma Nu officials. He was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, was a member of the Order of Omega (a Greek Leadership Honor Society), served as the Treasurer of the colony, and was a representative to the GSU Inter-Fraternity Council. Ferrell’s little brothers in Sigma Nu were Jim McBrayer (ΘΚ 5) and Jim (Tuffy) Rawlins (ΘΚ 30) both originally from Macon.

Ferrell was an early contributor to the Chapter Building Fund in 1986. The restart of this fund in 1986 resulted in the start of the chapter house construction in 1988. He was also part of a team that helped retire the mortgage in 2005. We will always remember Ferrell for his pragmatic, reasonable and friendly approach to everything in life and his (and his dear wife, Charlene’s) willingness to befriend all chapter members, from the “old guard” to the newest and youngest members. Not only was he active in the Alumni Chapter and the House Corporation, he and Charlene were avid GSU Football fans, always sitting next to their cherished friend and fellow alumnus, Tony Fair (ΘΚ 9) almost every game since football came to Paulson Stadium.

Ferrell worked for 29 years in the wine and spirits industry, retiring from United Distributing Company. He was also an area supervisor with the CETA and MDTA government-sponsored programs designed to retrain displaced workers. An avid golfer, Ferrell was a member of Riverside Golf & Country Club and the Brickyard at Riverside. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working crossword puzzles. As an active alumnus of Georgia Southern and Sigma Nu, he loved attending their football games and fraternity functions. As said by one alumnus, “it will be hard to imagine a trip to homecoming without Ferrell smiling and laughing” and enjoying the event.

Pallbearers will be David Smith, Tony Fair, Bill Griffin, Jim McBrayer, James (Tuffy) Rawlins, Robert Williams, Ron Poloncic, Wayne Snow, Rick Kimball, James Dominy, Tom Drake and Doyle Waters. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Ferrell's Sigma Nu Brothers from Georgia Southern.

Ferrell is survived by his wife of 30 years, Charlene Penland; a son, Jarod L. Penland (a Sigma Nu alumnus – ΘΚ 562) of Macon; step-sons, whom he loved as his own, Charles "Chuck" E. Leverette of Macon and Robert "Robbie" M. Leverette, Jr. (Stacy) of Cochran; step-grandchildren, Chelsea, Julianna, Rachael and Hayden Leverette; mother, Nedra "Dee" Parker (Gus); brother, Jeff Penland (Judy) of Macon; sister, Debbie Isbell (Randy) of Marietta.

Visit www.maconmp.com to offer condolences and tributes. In the near future, we will discuss and publicize a way for those desiring to make contributions to the Chapter or Foundation in Ferrell’s name. For those with pictures or memories of Ferrell, please forward them to alumni@SigmaNuGSU.com, so we can collect and publicize.

Ferrell will be missed – our prayers are with Charlene, Jarod, and the entire family.

SNETT (Sigma Nu Epsilon Tau Tau!)

Some Key Information:

The obituary may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/FerrellLPenland or http://www.maconmp.com.

Jarod Penland - Robert Williams - Ferrell Penland

Jarod Penland (ΘΚ 562), Robert Williams (ΘΚ 258), and Ferrel Penland (ΘΚ 262) at Homecoming 2010

Ferrell & Gang at Homecoming 2010

Part of the crowd with Ferrell at the Homecoming Golf Tournament in 2010

Brothers at the service for Ferrell L Penland - ThK 262

Brothers at the funeral service for fellow brother Ferrell L. Penland, ΘΚ 262.

Brothers - I received this note from Charlene Penland letter to the entire chapter, alumni, and membership, so I wanted to pass it on:

To: The Theta Kappa Chapter, The Theta Kappa Alumni Chapter, and Sigma Nu Fraternity

The family of Theta Kappa Brother Ferrell Lovett Penland (ΘΚ 262) would like to gratefully acknowledge the kind expression of sympathy received during this time of sadness.

Ferrell loved Sigma Nu and his brothers. He was pleased to share in the dreams of establishing the Sigma Nu Chapter at Georgia Southern. His pride continued as he became a part in seeing the house built and returning each year to see the new bothers carrying on their traditions.

That love was reflected on July 9th by the presence and in the faces of so many of his brothers. You will never know the peace and comfort that surrounded us then and will continue in the coming days. These memories will live forever in our hearts.

The beautiful spray of white roses, the long stem white roses and seeing the placement of the white roses at Ferrell's interment reminded us yet again of the loyal love of faithful friends made possible by his association with Sigma Nu and Georgia Southern.