Deborah S. Pennington

Mrs. Deborah S Pennington, 75, of Lansing, Michigan passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2025, after a long illness. She was born on Monday, August 8, 1949, in Defiance, Ohio, the cherished daughter of the late Charles V and Dorothy M Ensign.

Debbie was the beloved wife of Eddie Pennington Jr for 26 years, mother of Derek (Jody) Wright. Stepmother to Gayle Pennington, Shawn (Gail) Pennington, Juree Pennington. Grandmother to Charles and step-grandmother to Cassidy, Terell, Precious, Michael, Amosh. She is survived by her sisters Doreen (Robert) Olko and Diane (Mark) Hart and sister-in-law Linda (Richard) Pennington Black. Also surviving are nephews Nicholas, Charles, Brett Ballard, Aaron Olko and many members of the Pennington family. She leaves behind special friends Marguerite Dinkins, Rita Novak, Betty Amon and Carole Strachan.

Debbie was employed by AT&T for many years as well as the State of Michigan. She completed a bachelor’s degree in social work at Sienna Heights University while working full time. Debbie was a member of Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing.

Debbie was a devoted wife, proud mother, loving grandmother, steadfast sister, caring aunt, and loyal friend. For many years, Debbie and Eddie enjoyed a large group of friends tailgating and attending MSU football games. They loved their family and were frequent hosts of family events for holidays, showers and birthdays. Debbie was an excellent cook and loved to travel, having cruised the Panama Canal, Puerto Rico, Belize, Barbados, Antigua, St Thomas, St Kitts and St Lucia among others. She loved movies and although in a wheelchair she attended the Traverse City Film Festival with sister Doreen for several years. She was passionate about social causes and was a civil rights activist. She contributed her time and money to worthy organizations.

Debbie lived her life and faced the demands of Multiple Sclerosis with courage and willingness to do the work necessary to allow her to enjoy the life she wanted.

She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Unity Church and National Multipe Sclerosis Society.