Beth Penick, age 59, of Kirksey, Kentucky passed away early Saturday morning, February 13, 2020 at Baptist Health, Paducah after suffering an unanticipated health crisis earlier in the week that resulted in catastrophic brain and heart damage.
Beth was born in Louisville, Kentucky on February 19, 1961 to John and Jean Marquess Boxley of Lebanon Junction, Kentucky where she grew up on Knob View Drive. She graduated as a valedictorian from Bullitt Central High School and received a full academic scholarship from Murray State University. In 1982 she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Radio & Television Production and additional studies in Math and Computer Science. She returned to MSU in 2004 and completed a B.S. in Math and subsequently obtained a M.S. from Western Governors University in Math Education which was her passion.
In 1980 while they were both working at WKMS-FM at Murray State, Beth met and married her husband of 40 years, Kevin Penick of Murray. Before and after graduation they were very active in several campus ministries including His House – MCF, and helped establish B.A.S.I.C. Training (The Hill) in Hardin.
After graduation, Beth worked as a Programmer and then as a Systems Designer at United Systems and Software in Benton for over 10 years before discovering a passion for teaching. She began teaching high school STEM classes at Christian Fellowship School in Draffenville in 1993 and left to pursue additional degrees, teaching one semester at Lone Oak High School before teaching at Math at Graves County High School from 2005 – 2020, the last several years in the “Lead Academy” where she had a special gift for helping “at risk” students succeed personally and academically.
Last summer Beth left GCHS to join the West Kentucky Educational Co-op in order to use her gifts and experience to train, help, support, and serve as a resource for STEM teachers throughout Western Kentucky.
Beth touched thousands of lives throughout her life and lived out her faith by setting an example for her frequent admonition to “Be nice!” As one of her students noted, “Once you were one of her students, you were one of her students for life!” She followed and encouraged coworkers, friends, and former students alike by attending weddings, showers, and special events, dropping off cakes and casseroles, children’s books, cases of pampers, groceries, gift cards, notes of encouragement, counseling, tutoring, and in so many other ways that are just now coming to light.
The Penicks loved to travel around the U.S. and roamed the country from coast to coast and border to border exploring and finding adventure and enjoying God’s amazing handiwork.
Throughout the years the Penicks were very active and served in different capacities in various local churches including: First Baptist Mayfield, Christ Community Church in Benton, Christian Fellowship in Draffenville, Hardin Baptist, and most recently Impact Church in Benton where Beth wore multiple hats with the Tech Team and Women’s Ministry and supported her husband in his role as Associate Pastor.
Beth was a devoted mother of two and grandmother of four (and was excited about a fifth on the way) and in addition to her husband Kevin, leaves behind parents John & Jean Boxley of Lebanon Junction, daughter Johanna (Lucas) Choate and granddaughters Adalynn and Meira of Kirksey, and daughter Teala (Shane) Osborne and grandchildren Ella and Ezra of Murray, a sister, Susan (Ted) Hayden of Nashville and several nieces and nephews.
Beth left specific “just in case” instructions and she requested: 1. No funeral service. Beth despised funerals and stated, “I will not be the source of a super-spreader event!”, 2. That she be cremated and her ashes spread “in a pretty place”, 3. That her obituary include “a call to faith in Jesus”.
Beth knew God personally. In fact, Jesus lived in her heart and all of the good that she did for everyone was God’s love showing through. She did everything she did because of that love, not in order to earn her way to Heaven. She wanted you to know that:
1. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God loves you and desires a genuine, personal relationship with you.
2. Everyone is a sinner. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” No one is perfect. We have all broken God’s commandments. This is called sin, and it separates us from God.
3. Sin has a price that must be paid. Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” The “wage” or payment for our sin is death, which according to the Bible is eternal separation from God in a place called Hell.
4. Jesus Christ died to pay the price for your sin. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If we choose to accept Christ, we do not have to pay the price of death and Hell for our sins because Jesus paid for our sins when He died on the cross and rose again three days later!
5. Romans 10:13 says, “For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”” That is a promise directly from God that if you will pray to Him, confess that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins, and accept Him as your Savior, He promises to come live in your heart and give you the free gift of eternal life with God in Heaven
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, and donations may be made in Beth’s name at https://sampur.se/2Z3IHTE.
Please join family and friends in honoring the life of Mrs. Beth Penick by visiting www.imesfh.com and posting your tributes and memories.
Imes Funeral Home & Crematory, downtown Murray is entrusted with caring for the family of Mrs. Beth Penick.
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