Obituary of Estelle Penick Marion

Estelle Penick Marion, passed to her heavenly home August 7, 2024, at the age of 102.  She was an independent young girl, leaving her Mississippi home to make her own way.  Circumstances led her to find a job in Montgomery, Alabama, where she knew no one.  There she fell in love with a handsome young widower, with two very young children, eventually marrying him and together creating a loving family.

Estelle was employed at Dunham GMC Truck Company in Birmingham for over 37 years and served as an officer in the Association of Women Credit Managers.  She was known for her work ethic, her professionalism, and her integrity.

“Penny” and Blu were devoted parents, always welcoming friends of their children who all loved her too.  Their homes in Birmingham’s West End and on the Coosa River were longtime gathering places. For almost 60 years, she lived in Indian Springs Village, Alabama, where she was involved in the Fern Society and Indian Springs Garden Club.  She was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church. She and Blu built a second home on Perdido Bay in Lillian, Alabama, where she found great joy in entertaining family and friends, working tirelessly in her flower beds, even into her late 80’s. With the birth of her first grandchild, she became known as our adored “Mimi”. In her confined years she enjoyed watching the birds, squirrels and deer in her Indian Springs back yard. 

Hers was truly a life well lived.  She will be remembered as a beautiful, loving, Godly woman.

Preceding her in death are her loving husband, Bluford Marion, her parents, Otto and Ollie Penick, brothers Dolton Penick, Robert E. Penick and Aaron Penick, her sisters-in-law, Carolyn Penick and Sylvia Ann Penick, and her 5 Kerr “sisters”.  She is survived by her son, Donald Marion (Mary), daughter, Beth Moore, grandchildren, Matt Moore (Allison), Kim Vann, Donna Baillie (Dave), Michelle Tanner (Will), Donny Marion (Valeria), and 7 great-grandchildren, Matthew and Caroline Moore, Davis and Jake Baillie, Elizabeth Vann, Madisyn, Megan, Liam, and Jack Tanner, and Patrick Marion; brother, Ernest Penick, her sister-in-law Vicki Penick, and her many nieces and nephews.

Service for Estelle Penick Marion will be a brief graveside memorial at Rock Springs Church Cemetery in Randolph County, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 10.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Jude children’s Hospital will be appreciated.