Marcellus Harold Penn, Jr., affectionately called "Marty," was the only son born to the late Marcellus Harold Penn and Helen Feely Penn. The date of his birth in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is November 23, 1931.

He attended the public schools of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and graduated from Atkins High School in 1950. It was in that same year that Marty became the second black to receive his Eagle Scout Badge from the Old Hickory Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He began his early Christian Education as a member of Hanes CME Church.

His outstanding athletic ability earned Marcellus H. Penn, Jr. a football scholarship to attend Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. Upon completion of the required studies, he received a bachelor's degree in Physical Education from the university in 1954. It was during his enrollment at Johnson C. Smith that he joined the Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Following graduation from the university, Marty enlisted in the United States Army and was discharged after giving honorable service for his country during the Korean Conflict. After completing his military service, Marty returned to Winston-Salem and was employed as Program Director for the YMCA of Northwest, North Carolina (Patterson Avenue Branch). The Patterson Avenue Branch of the YMCA served African-Americans in the city of Winston-Salem.

Soon thereafter, young Marty and his wife, Covater, and their sons, Kenneth and Michael, moved to Cordele, Georgia on a mission initiative of the Presbyterian Church, USA.

In the middle 1960's, he again returned to Winston-Salem and began a career with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System. He briefly served as a truant officer for the schools but later became a school social worker. At the time of his retirement Marty had given more than thirty years of dedicated service to the system.

Marty Penn's legacy is his vast contributions to this community. He was a founding member of the Winston-Salem Sportsmen Club; a charter member of the local chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW); a leader in the JCSU local alumni chapter; and a motivating force of the Mary Garber Basketball Tournament.

Marcellus Harold Penn, Jr. peacefully passed away at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on Friday, January 20, 2017. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Michael Dale; and younger sister, Gwen. He was also predeceased by Willie Frances Smith Penn Johnson.

Those family members who survive and who will forever cherish loving memories of him include, his children, Dr. Frankie Denise Penn Powell, "Denny Penn" of Lumberton, NC and Kenneth Reginald Penn "Bean" of San Francisco, CA; grandchildren, Omar Kali Powell "Tater" and Remi Powell (Michael) Taylor; and his great-grandchildren, Amir, Alana and Malachi. Marty will be missed and remembered by his many friends, which are too numerous to mention.

Marty's Celebration of Life will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 3901 Carver School Road, Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, January 28th, beginning with the Omega Memorial Service at 10:30 am, family visitation at 11:00 am and worship at 11:30 am. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery.

For a copy of the funeral program, click here