Mickey Louise Penton

Mickey Louise West Penton, 89, of Sulphur, passed away on 3.1.21 in her Natchitoches home with her family by her side. 

 Born on June 1, 1931 near Anacoco La, the fifth of 6 children, she graduated from Anacoco HS at age 17.  She graduated from Northwestern College in 1951 with a degree in Home Economics.  She took her first and only teaching job at Sulphur HS.  After positively impacting many lives, she retired in 1972 and went to work at her church serving as the official hostess and social calendar coordinator for many years.  She began volunteering at The Mustard Seed when it opened in 1975.  There she continued her passion of teaching, helping women sew and quilt for mission projects.  She was faithful to the Mustard Seed for over 40 years until her health prevented it. 

Mrs. Penton joined Henning UMC in 1952 when she married Curtis, who was already a member.  She was also an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma and several book clubs.  She held sewing classes for civic groups and was frequently called on to help judge food festivals, Parish Fair, 4H and FHA projects.  She also helped coordinate several cookbook and Christmas card projects over the years.  

Mrs. Penton is survived by her beloved husband of 68 years, Curtis Penton; sisters-in-law Theresa West and Georgie West, daughters Mary Margaret Miller (Layne), Jane Unkel (Hine) and Ginger Olivier (Mark), eight grandchildren Johnny Miller (Rachel), Lauren Miller, Kate Miller Trichell, Amanda Unkel Sarvaunt (Brent), Ashley Unkel Hebert (Matt), Brandon Unkel (Amy), Adam Olivier (Kacie), Alexandra Olivier-Morgan (Russ), 10 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom she loved dearly. 

Mickey was preceded in death by her parents Lily Craft West and Ben West and five siblings; Guinell Smart (Malcolm), Ben D ‘Tiny’ West, Van West (Yvonne), Magda McCormick (Joe Bill) And Wayne West.  

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Kathleen Kautz; Dr. Marc Stokes, Frank Aviles and the staff at wound care; John Revoire, Dr. Brian Picou and the staff at LA Extended Care Hospital and our special angel Brandi Harrington.  Also, the wonderful Staffs of Lagniappe Home Health and Hospice of Natchitoches who consistently went above and beyond to help. A very special thanks to Mom’s caregivers who became part of the family and whom she loved: Gwen O’Connor, Danielle Wurster, Kathi Sepulvado, Alyssa Manasco, Karri Love, Cara Leggett, Monetta Hamilton, Deborah Haskett and Janet Miles. 

Pallbearers will be her nephews Bimbo West, John Malcolm Smart, Johnny West, Tracy McCormick, Ben West and Mark Penton. 

Mickey requested memorial donations for The Mustard Seed, c/o Henning UMC, 404 S. Huntington Street, Sulphur, LA 70663. 

Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 4th in the Family Life Center, Henning UMC with visitation that morning from 9:00 AM until time of service.  Burial will be at Self Cemetery, Anacoco, LA at 3:30 PM under the direction of Johnson and Robison Funeral Home.  There will not be a processional to the cemetery. Rev. Juliet Spencer will officiate services.