Edith (Pennell) Bumgarner

Edith Pennell Bumgarner, 89, of Statesville, passed away Monday, May 30, 2016, at her home. She was born in Caldwell County on February 26, 1927, and was the daughter of the late J. Rivers Pennell and Grace Barnes Pennell.  She was a graduate of Alexander County schools and Mitchell Community College.  On October 17, 1948, she married William C. Bumgarner, who preceded her in death. She worked and retired from the Statesville City Schools.  She was a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church where she had been a member for 60 plus years where she taught children for many years and later in her life, she enjoyed working in the kitchen serving bereavement meals and cooking for the Gideon’s of Statesville North Camp. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by 14 brothers and sisters. She is survived by two daughters, Glenda Cook (Don) and Sharon Safriet, along with two sons, Lee Bumgarner (Becky) and Gary Bumgarner (Marsha), all of Statesville.  She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Kent and Rodney Cook, John Bumgarner (Elizabeth), Angie Johnson, Carrie Kennedy (Brad), Crystal Davis (Robbie), Daune Williams, and Robin Nance.  She is further survived by two sisters, Frances Starr and Lucille Clark along with 12 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Edith Bumgarner will be conducted 4:00 PM Thursday, June 2, 2016, at Western Avenue Baptist Church with Rev. Jeff Spry officiating.  Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens.  The family will visit with friends Thursday afternoon from 3:00 until 4:00 PM at the church.  Memorials may be made to Western Avenue Baptist Church, 1206 Museum Road, Statesville, NC 28625, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625, or to Gideon’s International Statesville North Camp, P.O. Box 1321, Statesville, NC 28677. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Edith Bumgarner.