Douglas Lynn Pennington

February 21, 1948 — June 25, 2026

Douglas Lynn Pennington, age 78, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away on June 25,

2026, in St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born on February 21, 1948, in Corning, Arkansas, to Virgil Isaac Pennington and

Jewell Marie (McKinley) Pennington. Following high school, Doug served two tours of

duty during the Vietnam War with the United States Navy Seabees (the U.S. Navy

Construction Battalion). Doug exemplified the Seabee motto, “Can Do,” throughout his

life. From his Seabee experience, he built a life as a row-crop farmer, cattle farmer,

equipment operator, and truck driver. Doug never encountered a vehicle or piece of

equipment he could not drive or operate. He enjoyed leather crafting as well as reading

and studying God’s Word.

Doug is survived by his chosen family, including his partner, Cathy Womack of Poplar

Bluff; her children, Michelle (Glenn Rapert) Wilkerson of Poplar Bluff, Garry (Jessica)

Wilkerson of Doniphan, and Justin (Taylor) Tatum of Poplar Bluff; and grandchildren:

Trevor Rapert, Isaac Rapert, Glenn Rapert, Ben Rapert, Sarena Wilkerson, Audrey (Austin

Castle) Wilkerson, Garry (Hannah) Wilkerson, Jaden Billings, Jalen Young, Sydney

Turner, Brantly Tatum, and Blake Tatum.

Doug is also survived by a daughter, Traci (Chuck) Reinbott of Poplar Bluff; four

grandchildren: Paige Reinbott and Payton Reinbott, both of Poplar Bluff; Melody (Justin)

Newton of Conway, Arkansas, and Grady Pennington of Jonesboro, Arkansas; one

brother, Clifton Pennington of Conway, Arkansas; a niece, Kim (Dallas) Snider of

Pensacola, Florida; a nephew, John (Melanie) Pennington of Conway, Arkansas; and

three great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Jewell Pennington; his son, Chad

Douglas Pennington; and his uncle and close friend, Leon McKinley.

A committal service with military honors will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 9:00

a.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri. Family and friends are

welcome to attend.

A celebration of Doug's life will be hosted by his chosen family on August 8, 2026, at

5:00 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Neelyville R-IV School

District Library. Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home is assisting with all arrangements. Condolences may be made

online at www.fitchhillisfh.com or on the Fitch-Hillis Facebook page.