Ms. Penny Denise Purnell - Wilbon

Penny Denise was born on November 1, 1958, to the late Abelard and Maryann Harmon in Chicago, Illinois. She was the second oldest of five children. Later in life, her mother married her stepfather, James Purnell, who played a prominent and loving role in Penny’s life and who also preceded her in death. Penny peacefully departed this life on December 28, 2025, in the comfort of her son’s home, surrounded by her loved ones.

Penny’s life journey began in Maywood, Illinois, where she attended Emerson Elementary School and graduated from Proviso East High School. Inspired by the strong women in her family, her mother and grandmother, Penny earned her cosmetology license from Pivot Point and later obtained her Realtor License. Although she was skilled in many areas, everyone knew her true passion was crocheting anything and everything for family and friends.

A true jack of all trades, Penny held many jobs throughout her life. She had a deep love for doing hair, and some of her most iconic styles included jerry curls, wave nouveau, and braiding hair with beads. She also worked at Penny’s Real Estate alongside her mother and grandmother. Penny dedicated ten years to Pampered Chef, where she proudly wore all her various colored blazers and pointed toe flats.

In 1975, Penny welcomed her firstborn, LaShawn. In 1979, she married Manuel Wilbon, and together they welcomed Niqua and Martiz. Through marriage, Penny embraced a blended family and cherished her role as a parent to Manuel. Nothing brought her more joy than being a mother. She kept every report card, award, trophy, and medal her children earned. Penny loved FaceTiming her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, but get this, she notoriously refused to show her face on camera.

Although Penny loved her children and family dearly, everyone agrees she may have loved The Temptations just a little bit more. She collected their performances on nearly every electronic device she owned over the years, transferring their music from her MP3 player to her tablet, to her iPad, andeventually to her iPhone. The Temptations literally went everywhere she went. You would think she knew them personally, and honestly, she probably believed she did.

Penny had a special passion for collecting family memorabilia, including obituaries, family reunion Tshirts, photos, and keepsakes from every gathering. She loved cooking for her family, and one of her favorite dishes to make was her lasagna, prepared with her beloved Pampered Chef tools. Her favorite gadget was her apple peelercorerslicer, which she used to create her famous marshmallow fluff dip.

Penny leaves to cherish her memory, her children: LaShawn (Warren) Guthrie, Niqua (Ahaotu) Ifeyanichukwu, Martiz (Deandria) Wilbon, and Manuel (Carol) Wheeler. Her grandchildren: Quincy, Tre’von, Dasia, Marquez, Nikayla, Genesis, Rica’i, Janiah, Martiz Jr., Demi, and DeMar. Her greatgrandchildren: Jordyn, Antre’vious, Kameron, Legacy, and Karmelo. Her siblings: Cleophus, Donna (late Rodney), James III (Virginia), and Kimberley. Her two special sons: Jarrett and Demetrius. Penny also leaves to cherish her memory her very very close friend, Manuel Wilbon, along with an uncle, an aunt, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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