Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 17, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Mary Lou Freeman Pennebaker departed this life on Monday, June 17, 2024, at her loving home. She was born in Charlotte, NC on June 3, 1960, to Louise Smith Freeman and Beverly Lafayette Freeman. The youngest of three children she spent her childhood lollygagging after her older siblings earning the nickname “pokey”.

Mary Lou was a cheerleader at Myers Park High school later attending Mary Baldwin for her first year of college.  She subsequently transferred to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.  While raising her two beloved children, Caroline and Jake, she worked as a high-risk obstetrics nurse at Presbyterian Hospital and worked as a nurse at Novant Health South Ballantyne Pediatrics.  While she loved working at the hospital, she had a natural gift with children, later working at a pediatrics office and as a night nurse for newborns.  More recently she began her dream job as a pre-school teacher at Myers Park United Methodist Church in the Threes Class.  She loved the beach, any beach would do, but preferably somewhere with white sand and clear water where she could wear her oversized visor and just be.  Mary Lou also pushed her boundaries on mountain trails and explored National Parks.  She met her soulmate, Rick Pennebaker, far too late in life.  They were married in Maplewalk Garden on June 3, 2023.  Mary Lou was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother.  She will be deeply missed. 

She is survived by her husband, Rick; her two children, Caroline Schopp and her husband, Michael of Denver and Jake Lewis and his wife, Caroline of Charlotte; her grandchildren, Luke Schoop and Will Lewis who were her true joys to whom she doted on with wild abandon.  Also surviving are her sister, Suzanne Grice and her husband, Tom; brother, Sandy Freeman and his wife, Amy, and all her nieces and nephews.  She left this world at the happiest part of her life but is most surely elated to be with her adoring parents.

A memorial service to celebrate Mary Lou’s life will be held 2:30 PM on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service in Jubilee Hall.  Please wear pink, her favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Mary Lou to Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206 (https://crisisassistance.org/) or Trees Charlotte, PO Box 32367, Charlotte, NC 28232 (https://treescharlotte.org/).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.