Burney Lee Penny

Burney Lee Penny, beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, uncle and great uncle was born on December 11, 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the second of four children born to Austin E. Penny, Sr. and Irma Lee Penny. His spirit and soul returned to his heavenly home on April 13, 2020 at 8:19pm at the age of 72. He attended Holy Ghost Elementary School where his mother was a favorite teacher there also, graduated from Xavier University Preparatory High School where he and Faye became the love of each other’s life. During his elementary school years he discovered his love for basketball. At Xavier Prep he excelled in the sport and achieves district and all city basketball honors. He later attended New Mexico Highland University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Burney served four years in the U.S. Air Force in various locations including Libya, North Africa, England and Greece and received an honorable discharge. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he was employed by Missouri Pacific Railroad, Banner Chevrolet and Records Management Protection, Inc. in New Orleans. After relocating to Portland, Oregon after Katrina he secured a position as a Dental Records Specialist at Kaiser Permanente Interstate Clinic until his retirement in May 2014. In Burney’s earlier years, his Uncle Lawrence Lee had given him the name of “Rev”. No one knew why or how. Only the two of them knew what the reason was. And the nickname seemed to fit him perfectly as he immersed himself in God’s word. His mission was to share with everyone the love that God had for them and to show them how to achieve God’s eternal salvation. He joined Pastor Whitney Bardwell’s Church of the Living Word Christian Fellowship. He became a faithful and committed member. He would sometimes be asked on Sundays to minister with readings that he felt God wanted his brothers and sisters in Christ to hear. Burney was a caring and devoted family man. He enjoyed good conversation, good food, family gatherings especially during holidays, lots of laughter and joking about family member’s ages. He had perfected his recipe for stuffed green peppers using turkey sausage because he was into a healthy life style. He maintained loving relationships with his friends, throughout his life and others he met along the way. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Faye Williams Penny, his daughter, Tyren Penny (Ethan), grandson, Ryan White, Jr., his step children, Faresa Niece(Nathaniel), Alan Bell(Rebecca) of Portland, Oregon and Falana Washington(Jamell) of New Orleans. There are also 15 other grandchildren missing Grandpa Burney. He is also survived by his devoted siblings, brother, Austin E. Penny, Jr., sister in law Alvertha Penny of New Orleans and sister, Jean Penny Felder of Humble, Texas, his brother in law, Bill Williams (late Sabine) of Sierra Vista, Arizona . He also leaves to remember him are his beloved nieces, Johari Funches-Penny of Los Angeles, Ca., Lauren Lee Felder of Humble, Texas and Rosalind, Yolanda and Cynthia of New Orleans, nephews Martin Ewing Felder (Yvonne) and Antonio and Burnell Penny of New Orleans, and great nephew Preston Gerald Suber of Humble, Texas, cousins, Paulette Odoms of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, Francis Chambliss, Jr. (Freda) of Acworth, Georgia and Kim and Wade Hypolite of New Orleans. He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin E. Penny Sir and Irma Lee Penny, brothers Alfred Penny and Gerald Penny and stepson Aaron Bell Sr. Burney will also be missed by his spiritual brothers in Christ, Brother Guy Laiche and Brother Edward Noel. A CELEBRATION MEMORIAL OF HIS LIFE WILL TAKE PLACE LATER THIS YEAR/TBA. Arrangements by D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 7411 Chef Menteur Highway.