Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Mrs. Myrtis Penton, 101, passed away Dec. 20, 2019, at Heritage Manor of Mandeville peacefully where she was a resident for the last four years.

She was born in Bogalusa on Aug. 4, 1918, but spent her adult life in Varnado. She was a long-standing member of First Baptist Church in Varnado, where she served as Sunday school secretary for 25 years. She was a charter member of Pushepatape #239, where she held many offices including the secretary for 25 years. She was an avid quilter for most of her life. She loved working in her yard for as long as she could. Myrtis loved her family very much.

She is survived by her two daughters, Maylee Fornea of Varnado and Jessie (H.J.) Amato of Independence; 11 grandchildren, Hylton J. Spillman (Katherine), Sonya Cassard, Daniel (Terri) Spillman, Jerry Spillman, Ame Flynn, J.D. Flynn, Norma (Jack) Jordan, Charlie (Tammy) Fornea, Sarah (Richard) Williams, Chad (Natalie) Amato and Brad Amato; 17 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by one daughter-in-law, Beverly Flynn of Slidell; numerous nieces and nephews; a longtime friend, Marylee McKenzie; and loving sitter, Debbie.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, J.D. Flynn; her second husband, Hugo Penton; parents, Charley and Bessie McNeese; one daughter, Earlene Spillman; a son, Jack Flynn; son-in-law, Charles Wayne Fornea; two brothers, Clifton McNeese and Gary McNeese; and four sisters, Dot Coleman, Gladys Nastai, Joyce Taylor and Shirley McClendon.

Active pallbearers will be Chad Amato, Brad Amato, Charlie Fornea, J.D. Flynn, Blake Fornea and Jacob Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be Hylton J. Spillman, Daniel Spillman, Jerry Spillman, Tim Seal, Ronald Owens, H.J. Amato and Richard Williams.

Visitation will be at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Thursday, Dec. 26, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., with services at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Bro. Mike Thomas and Bro. Kelly Penton will be in charge of the service.

Burial will follow in Pierce Cemetery in Angie. Poole-Ritchie is in charge of arrangements.