Obituary of Robert Pennington

Mr. Pennington, 61, of Charlotte, NC, died Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Carolinas Medical Center. He was born September 1, 1947 in Memphis, Tennessee, son of the late Odie and Mattie Broadstreet Pennington. He was a graduate of Memphis State University and operated his own real estate business before moving to Charlotte, as senior V.P. for First Union / Wachovia were he worked for twenty-five years, before retiring in 2001. He was a licensed real estate broker in Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Robert was considered one of the top ten real estate executives in the country and was very active in numerous professional organizations. He served as president of several local and regional chapters of the Building Owners and Managers Association and held a Real Property Administrator designation. Robert was most proud of his service on the National Advisory Council of BOMA. He was also a Certified Property Manager in the Institute of Real Estate Management. Robert is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Leigh; daughter, Jessica Pennington; and mother-in- law, Dixie Caya, all of the home; a sister, Glenda Pennington, of Charlotte; brother in-law, Charles Caya of Fayetteville, Arkansas; as well as many friends in the Charlotte real estate community. He was actively involved with The United Way, The Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC), Indian Princess (YMCA), and The American Cancer Society. Robert was a 31-year cancer survivor. He was also an avid golfer and member of Lambda Chi Alpha at Memphis State. Robert excelled at caring for his family and was a mentor to many people and organizations in the Charlotte area. He was vibrant, gentle, a peacemaker, team builder, and partner. He was fun loving and actively followed Memphis State basketball, Arkansas football, and the Carolina Panthers. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at Providence United Methodist Church with the Reverends Ken Carter and William Jeffries officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Charles Caya, Don Porter, Mac McGee, Toby Chapman, Erskine Harkey, John Stephens III, Travis Phifer, Darryl Dewberry, Bob Ford, and Jim Nicholson. Memorials may be made to the music ministry at Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.