Kyla Renee Penny

In loving memory of Kyla Renee Penny, a vibrant soul who graced this world with her presence on December 27, 1986, in Pomona, California, and departed on February 20, 2024, in Jonesboro. She was a beacon of light, a cherished wife to Gunnar Penny, a devoted mother to Rhett, Olivia, and Madden, a beloved daughter, sister, and friend to many.

Kyla graduated from Marmaduke High School in 2004. She was dedicated to helping people and bringing them joy, and it was displayed in every aspect of her life. She was manager at Priority Title & Escrow where she made numerous friends from the people she served. Kyla loved to garden for food and flowers. She loved plants in general, and she would clip leaves from plants and grow new plants from the leaves.

Kyla married the love of her life, Gunnar, on March 23, 2017. Together, they built a loving home. She loved the outdoors. She would sit by a bonfire and listen to music almost every night. She would tell Gunnar, "Throw food on the grill and let's get a fire going." She enjoyed kayaking and geocaching. Once when geocaching, she found a hive of honeybees by following what she described as "the hum of an F-250". She and Gunnar captured the honeybees and took them home. She also loved animals. In addition to the honeybees, she raised goats, chickens, and pigs.

Kyla loved adventure. At the drop of a hat, they would load up the car and go somewhere new for the day. She loved life and had an infectious personality. She did not meet a stranger, and Kyla genuinely loved everyone she met.

Kyla's love for humanity was boundless; she treasured every connection made, leaving a lasting impact on all fortunate enough to know her.

Kyla leaves behind her loving husband, Gunnar; children, Rhett and Olivia Penny and Madden McDaniel; brothers, Ronnie (Jessica) French, Jager French, and KJ French; father, Ron Baughman; mother, Laura (Marty) Johnson; paternal grandmother, Patty Cullum; maternal grandmother, Ruth Cole; paternal grandfather, Dave Baughman; and in-laws, Rick and Judy Penny. She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Larry Gomer.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2024, from 5-8 PM at Heath Funeral Home. Kyla's Celebration of Life will be Monday, February 26, 2024, at 1 PM at Heath Funeral Home with Bros. Kim Bridges and Dave White officiating. Burial will follow in Gainesville Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ronnie French, Tannar Penny, Cody Joiner, Keith Staggs, Max Bishop, and Josh Turner. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Gunnar and Kyla Penny at First National Bank in Paragould.

In her recent times, Kyla wanted to raise awareness for breast cancer, especially for younger females. She hopes her experience will encourage and inspire others to check for cancer earlier in life so it can hopefully be detected in a timely manner.

Kyla may have left us physically, but her essence shall forever remain in our hearts, a beacon of love and light guiding us through the darkest of nights.