Candace Kapl Penny

Candace (“Candy”) K. Penny, beloved wife, mother, Aunt, and Nonnie passed away on October 26, 2024. Her sudden and untimely death came as quite a shock as she was only diagnosed with Severe Aortic Stenosis, Congestive Heart Failure, COPD, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Atrial Fibrillation, Fibromyalgia, moderate stubbornness, and the occasional episode of “back seat driving”.

Candy married the love of her life, James Ernest Penny, whom she affectionately called Ernie – not to be confused with the Ernie from Bert and Ernie, but then again, there are some similarities. They were married for 35 wonderful years until Ernie gained his Angel wings in 2003.

Candy and Ernie enjoyed beach music and shag dancing. If they weren’t on the dance floor, they could be found at Kerr Lake camping with their kids and Candy’s sister, Linda (deceased). Candy, being the older sister, knew that between the shenanigans of Linda and Ernie, her venturesome brothers, Tim (deceased) and Tommy (of Wilmington NC), and her baby sister MaryAnne (deceased) the family needed a strong stable person. She wore that badge with honor. However, on occasion she would let down her hair and join the in the fun! Candy loved her family more than anything in the world…. except for maybe food fights with Linda, coffee, diet cokes, Disney movies, Christmas Eve, and cigarettes.

Candy retired from CP&L (aka Progress Energy, aka Duke Energy) in 1993. She worked as an accountant on the Project Management Team. In addition to her talents as an Accountant, Candy had a beautiful singing voice, excellent planning and organizational skills, and a knack for putting a person in their place without raising her voice or saying a single cuss word. I believe she acquired that talent from her Grandmother, Charlotte (aka “Little Nonnie”). The rest of us took after her mother, Janice (aka “Big Nonnie”).

Candy and Ernie raised three children; a devoted daughter, who was their favorite child (hehehe, perks of being the one writing this), Deirdre (husband Otis), a loving and charming son, Tony (wife Sunday), and their oldest son, Michael, whom we believe is a masterful magician specializing in disappearing acts. Their children were their pride and joy, although Ernie would often try to trade them for groceries at the local Winn Dixie.

Aside from her children, Candy is survived by 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren: Desmond (“DJ”), Marissa, Kimberly (children: Madison and Grayson), “Lil” Tony (child: Elliott), Matt (children: Anthony and Isabelle), Everett, Candace, Brianna, Cameron, Eddie, and Elizabeth. Her motley crew of grands and great grands extended to her great nieces and nephews, who also deemed her “Nonnie”: Jasmine (children: Kinzley and Koa), Alexis, “Lil” Ernest, Sabrina, and Devan.

Candy also had a special place in her heart for Linda’s two girls, Karen (husband Earnest) and Rainy (husband Michael, not Michael the Magician, that Michael is still MIA, his disappearing act is Top Notch).

In the later years of her life Candy lived with Karen and Earnest. Candy and Karen shared a special bond over cigarettes and gossip. Karen was an amazing caregiver, niece, and friend to Candy. Candy truly loved living with Karen and her family.

When Candy’s health turned in 2020, she reluctantly moved to Smithfield Manor Nursing Home where she earned the nickname “Candy Cane”. Candy grew to love living at Smithfield Manor and she built some very special relationships with the staff and residents. She joined the resident’s board and put her skills or organizing and planning to work. Candy and Ms. Rhonda would ride the hallways and parking lot in their wheelchairs sharing good laughs and cigarettes. Ms. Rhonda was always looking out for Candy because she was never known for her driving skills. A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes out to all the wonderful CNAs and Nurses at Smithfield Manor who took such great care of Candy during her last years of life.

Before Candy passed there were several things, she told me to tell everyone she would never forget:

1. Her children playing baseball with her biscuits and throwing the liver and onions out the door into the backyard when they thought she wasn’t looking.

2. The jelly and raw chicken food fight she had with Linda.

3. Playing Squirtle with her grandchildren when they stayed with her during the summer.

4. All the Christmas Eve’s she spent with her family, especially the speed reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. She made me promise to read it every year.

5. Every hug she received during her last stay in the hospital.

As her oldest Grandson, DJ said, “…. She was such a force, who had love for everyone and heat for anyone that messed with those she loved!”

Candy’s Celebration of Life will be held, Saturday November 30th at 1 pm at 1017 Hazel Street, Clayton, NC 27527. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Candy is welcome to come and celebrate Her with her family.