Penny Hawthorne Byler (Penny) passed on September 11, 2025 after a decline due to
dementia. Penny was born on December 14, 1950 in Greenville, Mississippi to Frances
and Tom Hawthorne, both deceased. She is survived by Rick, her husband of 31 years;
her son John, currently living in Tupelo MS; her step-children James, Tim, Chris, and
Andrea, all of Virginia; and her two sisters, Jackie Cariker of Dundee, MS, and Jan
Hawthorne of Jackson, MS. She loved being “Crazy Aunt Penny” to Jackie’s children
Meagan and Heath and eventually to their spouses and children.
Throughout her life Penny was an avid supporter and lover of the arts. While in high
school in Charleston, Mississippi, she was a valuable member of the choir and band and
served as drum major her senior year. Her passion for music continued as she became a
dedicated band parent during her son John’s participation in both the junior high and
high school bands at Washington School in Greenville.
In addition to her love of music, Penny also loved participating in community theatre as
an actress, director, stage manager, and hair and makeup artist. From Delta Center
Stage’s first season (1979 – 1980) Penny participated both on or off stage. Some of her
most memorable moments included “wrangling” the king’s children backstage during a production of The King and I; bracing herself on an electric wheelchair, driven by
someone underneath her voluminous costume, as she sang and swooped around the stage during Tevye’s “nightmare” in Fiddler on the Roof; and exchanging lines with
long-time friend Sonya Bixler as they portrayed the sweet, aging, and murderous sisters
in Arsenic and Old Lace. Penny received numerous awards for her roles in festival
plays presented by Delta Center Stage at the Mississippi Theatre Festival, the Southeastern Theatre Festival, ACTFest, and the International Amateur Theatre Festival
in Dundalk, Ireland. Penny was also a regular cast member of the Red Cross Chorus and
the Community Harmony Chorus as well as a cast member of many of Delta Center
Stage’s musicals.
Penny also loved and was loved by the members of St. James Episcopal Church where she served as a member of the Vestry, a valuable member of the choir, and a member of The Altar Guild (one of the few Altar Guild members who could unlock the safe). She
always contributed to the Fall Bazaar and loved chatting with and supporting church
members.
She possessed a sparkling personality and made young and old feel at ease and valued
with her smile and warm interest in them. She will be sorely missed and always
remembered by those who knew and loved her.
“Love you more!”
Celebration of Life visitation 1:00, service 2:00, September 20, Orchard Ridge Chapel,
Winchester.
Funeral visitation 1:00, service 2:00, October 6, St. James Episcopal Church, Greenville
MS.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Red Cross, Hospice, or other of your choice
