Florence Lucille (Knox) Pennywell was born on September 27, 1948, in Tulare, California, to Bertha Mae Elizabeth (Wright) Knox of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and John Henry Knox of Attala, Mississippi. Florence was the youngest daughter, with older sisters Johnnie Mae (Knox) Morrison and Cora Bea (Knox) Waller. Several years earlier, Bertha Mae had moved from Oklahoma to Los Angeles, then settled in Pixley, California, where she met her future husband, John Henry Knox. Florence attended Earlimart Elementary School for kindergarten before relocating with her family to Palo Alto, California, on Christmas Day, 1954. 

Raised in a devout Christian home, Florence attended University AME Zion Church, where she was baptized, sang in the youth choir, and served as a junior usher. She attended Mayfield Elementary School and then matriculated to Terman Junior High School. Florence spent her first two years of high school at Ellwood P. Cubberley High School before transferring to Henry M. Gunn High School in 1964, where she was part of the first graduating classes. Throughout high school, Florence was known for her bright personality, love of dancing, and active participation in various Associated Student Body activities, including serving as Vice President of the NAACP chapter at the California Co-Op Center.

Florence graduated from Gunn High in 1966 and pursued a nursing career, studying at Foothill College before earning her degree at De Anza College. She worked as a lab technician at Stanford University, conducting cancer research. In 1969, she met and fell in love with John Pennywell. Life took them down different paths for a few years before they reunited in 1975. They have seven children.

While raising an active family, Florence pursued several entrepreneurial ventures, including selling Avon products, operating a family daycare, and working as a stock clerk at Macy’s. Years later, she earned an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting from Evergreen Community College. She leveraged her business degree by first working at United Way and then being hired by Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 1983. At HP, she worked in the software sales department as a Buyer Planner, where she formed lifelong friendships before retiring 17 years later. Florence then entered real estate and earned her license.

She and her husband, John, ensured their children participated in a variety of extracurricular activities, from dance and football to cheer and marching band, from basketball to track – Florence made sure she was present at every game, traveling near and far. She was the “team mom” and wore that title proudly. Florence loved the Lord and was consecrated as a Deaconess at University AME Zion on September 20, 2009. She attended Emmanuel Baptist Church for more than 30 years and was a member of both Rohi Christian Church and Cornerstone AME Zion Church.

Florence Lucille Pennywell entered into eternal rest on May 18, 2026, at her home in San Jose, California, surrounded by family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Bertha Mae Knox; her Godfather, Lloyd Smith, Sr.; her brothers, Jimmy and Benny; her God-sister, Sharon (Smith) Cotton; God-brother-in-law, Anthony Hill; and her husband of 53 years, John Pennywell. Cherishing the precious memories of Florence are her sisters, Johnnie Mae and Cora; God-mother, Helen (Edmunds) Smith; God-sister, Lornett (Smith) Hill; God-brother, Lloyd (Clara) Smith, Jr., her children, Lanthony (Shirley) Pennywell, Dr. Angela Pennywell Scott, Jason Pennywell, Helana (Chandrea) Pennywell-Bryant, Rosilynn (Allen) Tillett, Jonathan (Crystal) Pennywell, and Jemas Underwood; eleven grandchildren, Tashika, Tia (Darnell), Shani, Jenae, Samara, Makiala, Jaelin, Ananda, Jason, Deshae, and Jeaden; and three great-grandchildren, Santana, Drako, and Nello. Several God-children and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

The Pennywell Family

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