Penelope "Penny" Drennan

WOODFIN – Penelope “Penny” Drennan, age 75, of Woodfin, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Riverbend Healthcare in Asheville. Penny was born on October 17, 1948, in Cuero, Texas. She was the daughter of the late Carl Willis Sample and Annette Chambers Sample.

Penny attended Smiley High School and then Sam Houston University, graduating with a degree in Home Economics. She put that education to good use, as she loved to cook and to be a hostess. Penny had hundreds of cookbooks and loved trying new recipes—her family often received recipes in the mail that were snipped from magazines or newspapers with her handwritten modifications in the margin. Many of her greatest hits have been passed down through family members and friends, and are simply known to all as “one of Penny’s recipes.”

Penny loved spending time with her family, and was always present and eager to celebrate and travel for her children’s recognitions, achievements, and moves around the country or world. If you entered the Drennan home, you would instantly notice Penny’s attention to detail through her gardening, flower arranging, and home interior design. Images of pineapples (symbolizing hospitality) and hummingbirds were her favorite. Penny always had numerous cats with big personalities in the home—which were often Siamese.

Penny attended Brookstone Church, and she and her husband were hosts of a Life Group. She participated in the Reynolds Mountain Book Club and added her gift of hospitality to the neighborhood Social Committee. Penny is remembered as having sparkly green eyes, a warm and friendly personality, and a willingness to serve others through hospitality and outstanding cooking and baking.  

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, James E. Drennan; her children, Scott Drennan and Amy Drennan; siblings, Carl Alex Sample and wife, Betty, Susan Novak and husband, Jeff, and Ken Sample; and many nieces and nephews. The Drennan family would like to thank River Bend (previously Baptist Home), Young Homecare, and Four Seasons who supported Penny in such loving ways at the end of her life.

Penny’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023 in the Chapel of West Funeral Home; Reverend Jim Dykes will officiate. The family will receive family and friends for a viewing the hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the Drennan family invites family and friends to donate to Gideons International (Gideons.org/donate) or Habitat for Humanity (https://www.habitat.org/)

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Penny’s family. Condolences may be offered to the family under Penny’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.