Mr. Donald Lee “Doc” Penley, age 57, went home to be with Jesus on May 21, 2010. Born May 8, 1953 in Richlands, Virginia, he was a son of the late Ervin and Beulah Penley of Drill, Virginia. He was a member of the Drill community for most of his life and worked as a coal miner for Jewell Smokeless Coal Corporation for twenty-seven years until he became disabled. He enjoyed driving trucks for many years. He lived life to its fullest and enjoyed telling funny stories that would make people laugh. He began his fight against cancer eighteen months ago and was a brave courageous soldier through it all. In spite of his sickness, he continued to love his life and he never complained about his battle, he would always say, “Life is beautiful, but Heaven is better!” He spent his days trying to make a difference in the lives of others. He worked hard to provide for his family and volunteered in the community if someone needed help. He lived up to the name “Doc” because if something was wrong, he had the cure.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Thelma Penley and Alma Lowe and several nieces and nephews.

He left behind the love of his life and adoring wife of thirty-eight years, Debora Penley of the home; two daughters, Angela Penley Johnson and husband Bradley of Council, Virginia and Amy Penley Clark and husband, Eric of Jonesboro, Tennessee; two granddaughters, Emmalee Noel Johnson and Bella Grace Clark who were both loved very much by their Paw “P”, very special nephew whom he considered a son, Terry Lowe and wife, Karen of Honaker, Virginia and a special niece whom he also considered a granddaughter, Allie Elizabeth Lowe; a special niece whom he considered as a daughter, Jenny Short of Honaker, Virginia and special foster grandson, Corey Lee Seth Hubbard of Lebanon, Virginia; brothers and sisters, Ervin (Bub) Penley, Issac (Pete) Penley, Ella (Sis) Short, Hattie Fields, Eura Boyd, Stanley Penley, Jim Penley, Benny Penley and Harold Penley also survive. It was Don’s wish that all his family meet him again one day in Heaven. He also left behind many friends and will always be remembered in their hearts as a strong, happy, compassionate man with a heart of gold. Heaven is truly blessed to be gaining such a wonderful angel and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 7 PM Sunday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be conducted on Monday at 11:30 AM in the Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Entombment will follow. Those wishing attend are asked to assemble at the Honaker Funeral Home by 11 AM to travel in the funeral procession.

Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 PM Sunday.

Online Condolences may be sent to www.honakerfuneralhome.net.

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