Charlene M. Pannell (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Charlene Mae Pannell, daughter of Charles and Ruth Evans Caufield, was born July 1, 1940, in Sleeper, Missouri. She departed this life Wednesday, November 10, 2021, in Mercy Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-one years, four months, and ten days.
On June 17, 1962, she was united in marriage to Lester Pannell, and to this union one daughter, Angie, and two sons, Troy and Eric, were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of fifty-four years, Lester, on November 6, 2016.
Charlene is survived by a daughter, Angie Wojak, and her husband, Joe; two sons, Troy Pannell and Eric Pannell, and his wife, Dynesha; two granddaughters, Hannah and Ella Pannell; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in Laclede County, and attended Sleeper and Stoutland Elementary Schools. She then graduated from Stoutland High School. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from SMSU in Springfield. After she and Lester were married, they made their home in the Lebanon area and lovingly raised their children. Charlene was a devoted homemaker to her family and also had a lengthy career as an educator. She first taught at Fort Leonard Wood, and then at Donnelly Elementary in Lebanon for a total of nearly thirty years.
Charlene had made her profession of faith in Christ and was a longtime member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lebanon.
A special part of her life was when she started SMSU in 1958 with her friends/roommates who became lifelong friends: Lucille (Mooney) Garrison, Verla (Roark) Golsten, and Sammie (Goss) Barclay. Her favorite things were enjoying nature and her garden at the family farm. She and Lester enjoyed bird watching and traveling during their later years. She was devoted to her granddaughters, family and friends. She was known for her generosity, positivity, and kindness.
Charlene’s friend and fellow teacher, Sue Massey, writes that Charlene loved her work, the children, and especially her dear friends and fellow teachers. She was a beloved teacher. Like she did everywhere she went, she made lifelong friends. She was a great listener and encourager of others. She shared these gifts with her students. She was a caregiver, but never a complainer, a bright spot wherever she taught. Her students loved her dearly and stayed in touch with her through the years. Sue Massey, Johnny McCloud and Charlene taught first grade together at Donnelly School for over twenty-five years and along with Carol Pool, who taught special education, remained lifelong, loving friends.
Charlene was a loving mother, grandmother, and was a caring friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she made for them during her lifetime.
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