Judy Anne Penny

Judy Anne Penny passed from this life July 27th,2024 at the age of 82 in Edmond, Oklahoma. Services are to be held in the Chapel at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, 7500 W. Britton Rd., in Oklahoma City, OK at 11 am Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Judy Anne Penny was born Judy Anne Smith on October 9th, 1941, in Stillwater Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Raymond Nathaniel Albert Smith Sr. and Margaret Elizabeth (Gunter) Smith. As a young child, her family lived on a farm outside Stillwater, Oklahoma. She had fond memories of her childhood on the farm and told stories of the chickens, her mother’s horses, and swimming in the pond with her 2 older brothers and a few water moccasins. In her twelfth year, her family moved into town where her parents opened a dance studio teaching ballroom dancing, which later evolved into tap, jazz, and ballet. As the daughter of a dance instructor, she became proficient in all 3 arts and assisted her mother in teaching classes. She graduated from Stillwater High School where she was an honored member of the International Thespian Society. She attended Oklahoma State University pursuing a degree in Speech and was active in drama. She was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. She continued her participation with Delta Zeta as an Alum for many years.

While attending university she met James F. Penny, who became her husband in 1961, they were married for 58 years until his death in February of 2020. Jim and Judy Anne had five children, a son and four daughters. In 1994 she finally became a grandmother to her only grandchild. She devoted her entire life to caring for and loving her husband and children. Her family always came first and was the pride of her life.

Judy Anne always loved music. While at St. Marks Methodist Church, she enjoyed singing in the choir. She was always involved with music wherever she was attending church. Judy started her own business, a dance studio called Tap and Ballet Arts. She trained many girls and young women in tap, jazz, and ballet. She selected music, lighting, costumes, and choreographed dances to showcase their talents with an annual recital for their parents, families, and friends. The performing arts were Judy’s passion.

Eventually, time took its toll on her body, and she decided to close the dance studio. She spent the rest of her career in retail. She worked at Kohls for a time and spent many years working at Foley’s, which later became Macy’s. She earned several Diamond Star service awards and formed many friendships during her time there.

She is survived by her son, James Glenn Penny and wife Stacy; her two daughters, Jann Margaret Penny and Jamie Sue Penny and her granddaughter, Krystalyn Aubra Lasater. She is preceded in death by her husband, James F Penny and her beloved daughters, Jinger Kay Penny and Jeanette Lynn Lasater, she will be laid to rest beside them in Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.