LANCASTER, SC ~ Mrs. Mary Ann Sikes Penegar, age 89, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 8, 2025. She was born in Palestine, Texas on May 30, 1935, a daughter of the late Jackson Wylie Sikes and Ruth Burns Sikes and was the loving wife of Howard Penegar, Jr. for 67 years. She was an "Apache Belle" at Tyler Junior College before she was married. Mary, affectionately known as "Mim" to everyone, was a wonderful homemaker and was known for her "Tarzan" call. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning, sewing and crocheting. Mary was an excellent seamstress and in past years, made her husband and children's clothing.  She also loved to bake, especially bread, and enjoyed sharing her baking talents with others.  Mary would always include a scripture with each loaf of bread as words of encouragement and love. She had a loving and giving Mother's heart and was a virtuous woman. Mary was an animal lover and enjoyed watching the birds at the many feeders in her yard.  She loved people, especially the ones who needed help and  was the pastor's wife and member of Canaan Land Ministries.  Mary was a very devoted God-fearing woman who loved the Lord and each morning looked forward to her daily Bible study with her husband.

Mary is survived by her husband of 67 years, Howard Penegar, Jr.; her daughter, Melody Penegar; two grandchildren, Christina Penegar-Tucker (Mick Tucker) and Brooke Penegar (Jonathan Monsalvo); four great grandchildren, Jaxson, Asher, and Arabella Tucker, and Isaiah Wylie Monsalvo; a brother, Vernon Ross "Rusty" Sikes; a sister, Patsy Ruth Copeland; three nephews, Todd Copeland, Jack Copeland, and Stephen Sikes; and many other beloved family members.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents; a son, Wylie Penegar, Sr. (survived by Patty Penegar) and a grandson, Wylie Penegar, Jr.

The Celebration of Life Service for Mary will be at 3:00 pm Monday, March 17, 2025, at The Chapel of Burgess Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Lancaster Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 3:00pm, one hour before the service, and suggest memorial contributions be made to Canaan Land Missions, PO Box 1958, Lancaster, SC 29721.

An online guest register is available on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com.

Burgess Funeral Home & Crematory of Lancaster is caring for the family of Mrs. Mary Penegar.