Penny S. VanTassel

Penny was born Penny Susan Strickland on July 15,1952 in Chicago, Illinois from the union of  Ernest Strickland of Belton, Georgia and Ethel Bearden Strickland of Pike County, Mississippi.  The couple had two daughters, Penny and Nona.  Penny accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois at the age of nine.  Penny lived on the south side of Chicago educated in the Chicago Public School system. She attended William Shakespeare now Ariel Academy and Kenwood for grammar school. Penny graduated from Lindblom Technical High in June of 1970. Ambitious as a young woman, she left Chicago and relocated to New York City. She began working at the New York Telephone Company. The company renamed several times and is now known today as Verizon. Penny was promoted within the company from telephone operator to technician. She retired from Verizon in the fall of 2002 after thirty-one years of service with the company also obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. Penny believed in lifelong learning. She continued her education and went on to receive a Bachelor Degree in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix in 2006. Recently she started her Masters Degree were she studied psychology. She had hoped in pursuing a career in life coaching. After retirement from the telephone company Penny decided to dedicate her time and talent to community service. In 2003, she became a member of the Greater Shiloh Church in Easton, Pennsylvania and joined the multimedia ministry. While in the multimedia ministry, she operated the sound system at Sunday services and funerals. Penny was an active member and treasurer of the Easton, Pennsylvania branch of the NAACP. She displayed her leadership skills by serving as a Garden Children’s Center in Easton, Pennsylvania, Northampton County Children and Youth Family Advisory Board and Meals-On-Wheels of Northampton County which she served for thirteen years.

She leaves to rejoice in her memory her two children, Vivian C. Elam of Allentown, Pennsylvania and David Lee Raybon Jr. of Fresno, California. Her sister Nona Edwards-Thomas MD of Collierville,Tennessee. Her grandchildren Edward E. Elam Sr., Jaelyn Elam, Bo-Kheir Raybon, Danita Raybon, Tyberius Raybon, Zacarri Raybon. Great grandchildren Adia and Edward Elam Jr. Nephews Martin Edwards, Lee Edwards and Ernest Edwards. She will be greatly missed by many other relatives and friends. Penny loved her family, friends and her church.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm

103:8

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us

Ephesians 2:4

Funeral Services will take place on Saturday July 20, 2019 at 11AM in the Main Sanctuary of Greater Shiloh Church 403 Pastor Fred Davis Street Easton, PA.  Visitation will begin at 10AM.  Interment will be private with the immediate family.

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