Dolores Jean Pennington

Dolores Jean Pennington

March 21, 1954 – January 9, 2025

Dolores Jean Pennington was born on March 21, 1954, in Brownwood, Texas, as the fifth daughter of Bennett and Dorothy Towers Wilson. She grew up in Brownwood and Early, Texas, where she attended school. After the passing of her father when she was only four years old, Dolores’s mother moved the family to Kermit, Texas, in search of better opportunities. There, Dolores enrolled as a sophomore at Kermit High School and graduated shortly after.

While living in Kermit, Dolores met Shelby Lee Pennington. During his deployment to Vietnam after being drafted into the Army, the two stayed in touch through letters. Upon his return, Shelby was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, but traveled home most weekends as they began dating. The couple married on March 17, 1973, and built their life together in Kermit, Lovington, and eventually Hobbs, New Mexico. Dolores held various jobs over the years, ultimately retiring from Hobbs Municipal Schools in 2020. Dolores and Shelby were married for 49 years. They enjoyed camping trips to Ruidoso, traveling, and Hobbs Eagle Basketball.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Nelda (and Bill) Gilbert, Sue (and Don) Owen, and Johnnie (and William) Thomas; her brother-in-law Jerry Holt; her beloved husband, Shelby Lee Pennington; and her granddaughter, Alyssa Shelby Pennington.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Shelby and Brooke Pennington of Midland, Texas; her daughter, Amy Padron of Hobbs, New Mexico; her grandsons, Nathan Pennington of Clovis, New Mexico, and Jerek Garcia of Kermit, Texas; her sister, Bennie Holt of Fredericksburg, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.