Family
Ruth, his mother, and Charles, his father married December 19th, 1900. They had at least seven other
children besides James, including Mabrey C., William A., Charlie J., Vera S., Lera, Addie L., and Ada G. Pennal.
children besides James, including Mabrey C., William A., Charlie J., Vera S., Lera, Addie L., and Ada G. Pennal.
Parents
James was son to Ruth Agness Pennal (August 23rd, 1880- May 3rd, 1973) and Charles Jefferson Pennal (February 2nd, 1869- July 22nd, 1942).
Charles was born in 1869. In 1880, he was 10 and lived in Itawamba county. In 1910, he was in his early forties and lived in Petersburg, MS, and worked as a farmer. By 1920, he had moved to Nettleton, MS, and worked as a merchant at a dry goods store. In 1937, he was the mayor of Nettleton. During his office, the city’s central water and sewage system was built, funded by the Works Progress Administration. He resigned in 1942.
Ruth (maiden name Riley) was born in 1880 in Mississippi. In 1900, at the age of 18, she had yet to marry Charles, lived in Allensburg, MS, and had previously worked as a farmer. In 1910, she lived in Petersburg, MS with her husband and, although she could read and write, had no occupation outside the household. At the age of 92, on May 3rd, 1973, she died in Gladeville, TN, and was buried in Nettleton, MS.
Siblings
James had seven full siblings. Ada G. was probably the first born, as her reported birthyear was “about 1902,” and the next sibling was born in October of 1902, implying that Ada was born early in the year. She was born in Mississippi, and lived around 76 years, dying in Fort Myers Beach, Florida on June 29th, 1979.
The next-born sibling is Mabrey Clifford, who was born October 26th, 1902, and died July 19th, 1903, living only 9 months. He was buried at New Chapel Cemetery in Evergreen, MS.
After Mabrey came Addie Lou, born January 26th, 1904 in Nettleton, MS. She lived 75 years, dying June 29th of 1979 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida with the last name MacAndrew, having married James Walter MacAndrew (1896-1942) May 3rd, 1923. They had two children, Nancey Lou (1928-2000) and Robert Pennal (1924-1963).
Next is Lera, born June 14th, 1906 in Nettleton, MS. She married Marion Davis (1904-1971) when she was 18 years old. She mothered Marion F. Davis Jr. (1926-1996), as well as Billie Harald (1931- present). She died April 8th, 2003, in Springfield, Illinois.
James additionally had a sibling named Vera Simmons, who also is reported to have been born June 14th, 1906. Because they are reported to have been born on the same day, and because of the seemingly intentional similarity in their names, it is likely that Vera and Lera were twins. Vera married S.L. Simmons when she was 20 and mothered Paul Simmons around the age of 19. Vera died during May of 1982.
On March 23rd, 1911, Charlie Jefferson was born. He lived less than 7 years, dying May 19th, 1918. The lastborn of Ruth and Charles Pennal was William Alonzo, who was born on August 21st, 1914. He lived 6 years and died September 6th, 1920.