Vivian Russell Penry

Vivian Russell Penry of High Point, died peacefully in her home on November 18, 2025.  Vivian was born on January 28, 1928 and grew up in Denton, NC. The youngest of 7 children, she lived with her parents, James and Texie Daniel Russell, and family on a working farm, often milking cows and feeding chickens before she walked to school. Growing up on a farm taught her the value of hard work and the importance of family - values she carried with her all her life. After graduation from Denton High School, Vivian attended nursing school at High Point Hospital. Upon graduation, she began dating the love of her life.  She had the courage and gumption to send a graduation invitation to a young man she knew from her hometown.  W.G. Penry was a year older and quite popular in high school, and Vivian was not even sure he knew who she was. Unable to attend her nursing school graduation he sent her a box of chocolates! Six months later they married on Christmas Day 1948.  That started a journey from Durham and Chapel Hill to Greensboro and Asheboro, NC.  After four children and many pets, Vivian and “Dub” settled in High Point, NC.

Vivian had many interests including gardening, walking and traveling. She was an excellent cook: her sour cream pound cake and chocolate syrup cake were always requested for birthdays. Her love for the state of North Carolina was unparalleled. She loved the mountains and the coast, especially Bald Head Island.  Her children often teased her that they were going to put “Nothing Could be Finer than to Be from North Carolina” on her gravestone. However, her deepest passions were for her family and faith. A long time member of Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, Vivian was always volunteering, serving as a pie dough roller for the “chicken pie ladies” and in her circle serving lunch to the “older adults” on the second Tuesday of each month well into her 80’s. You could find Vivian every Sunday in the chapel for the early church service, weekday mornings in the church fellowship hall exercising with her dearest friends and enrolled in any Bible Study Mickey Efird taught.

She loved her family with all her soul.  Vivian always remained close to all her siblings and relatives in Denton.  Her husband and children were the recipients of her special love and care, and that even magnified when grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived.  Family Trips across the country or across the state were cherished times. 

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Hazel, Thelma, Otis, Cicero, Robert and Anita, husband, William Gaston Penry and infant daughter Constance Teresa. She is survived by her children: Gaston Penry, Lee Penry (Janie), Delia Parker (Tony) and Catherine Rhodes (Greg); grandchildren Leanne Robbins (Patrick), Sarah Lanning (Drew), Luke Penry, Adam Dunphy, Brandon Dunphy (Brittney), Cameron Dunphy, Will Rhodes (Ava), Cate Rhodes: great grandchildren CJ and Paxton Dunphy, Grace and Daniel Robbins, Claire and Sophie Lanning.

Vivian cared for and supported Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, The Bald Head Island Conservancy, Three River Land Trust, North Carolina Wildlife Federation and Hospice of Davidson County. If you desire to make a donation in her name, please donate to any of these listed.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 29, 2025, in the chapel of Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Drive, High Point, NC. Visitation will follow in the Asbury room. Online condolences may be sent to www.jcgreenandsons.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.