Lucille “Ann” (Stephens) Pennington, 87, of Evening Shade, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 12, 2026, surrounded by love.
Ann was born on August 23, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. William Stephens and Lucille Ann (Geary) Stephens. Growing up alongside her beloved sister in Chesterfield, Missouri. Being the only children, their father raised them with strength and resilience, teaching them to paint fences, tend the land, and handle farm chores alongside him. Those summers instilled in Ann a lifelong work ethic.
Ann cherished her nieces and nephews, welcoming them to the farm each summer. She shared her love of country life with her D.C. family, including riding horses, tending cows, caring for her dogs, and enjoying the outdoors. She also found joy in simple pleasures like old Western movies and romance novels.
Ann was a devoted psychiatric nurse spending many years serving soldiers and their families; she worked well beyond retirement age because she loved caring for others. Nursing was more than a profession; it was her calling.
Ann and her sister Joan spent part of their childhood with their beloved Mamaw, and cousins they formed bonds that lasted a lifetime forever cherishing their time in St. Louis. She later married the love of her life, Jim Pennington, in 1984; they built their life together in Evening Shade, Missouri, filled with love, animals, laughter, and devotion. After Jim’s passing, Ann remained on the farm, in later years she found companionship, love and more family within the Johnson family; Alan, Kristen, and their sons John and Lucas, who helped care for her and the farm in her final years.
She is survived by her sister, Joan Vanderveldt; her brother-in-law, Dr. Hans Vanderveldt; her nieces and nephews: Dr. Dutch Vanderveldt his wife, Jen, their children Brock, and Grace (Florida); Ingrid Vanderveldt her husband, Glenn Hodgson (Texas); Dr. Garig Vanderveldt his wife, Gina, their children Ava, Reagan, and Morgan (Tennessee); and Erin Vanderveldt, her future husband Rob Jordan (Tennessee).
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. William Stephens; her husband, Jim Pennington.
