On the evening of November 14th, 2016, Penny passed away at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, MO. She had been suffering from several chronic health conditions, including Lupus, for quite some time. Penny was surrounded by her family. She was 58 years old.
Penny (Hawks) Graf was born in Springfield, MO on September 20th, 1958, to Lyle D. and Janice Hawks.
Penny shares a birthday with her twin brother, Perry (she loved having a twin brother). One of 5 children, including two sets of twins, made for a busy and exciting child hood. She grew up on a rural farm near Lockwood, MO, and graduated from Lockwood High School. Upon graduation, she moved to Springfield and earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Drury University.
In 1978, she married her long-time classmate, friend, and sweetheart, Joe. They lived near Lockwood for a while, where Penny taught school and Joe farmed. They also had three children: Tara, Ty and Tiffany. The family later moved to Willard, MO while Penny pursued a teaching career for the Springfield Public School system. She taught second grade for many years. Penny loved her second graders.
Penny took such delight in her family. She said many times that attending her kids sporting events and school activities were some of her favorite memories.
With three young children at home, and while working full time, Penny also pursued and earned her Master’s Degree. This was one of her proudest accomplishments.
Due to illness, Penny retired from teaching a bit earlier than she had planned. However, this change in schedule allowed her the time to spend with grandchildren, and to learn a few new skills by working part-time in the healthcare system. She loved the thrill of learning, helping others, and making new friends.
Her favorite role of all was that of grandmother. She was affectionately called MaMa by her 8 grandchildren (and one on the way). She loved them with her whole heart and they loved her.
Penny is preceded in death by her father.
She leaves behind her husband, Joe Graf; her daughter, Tara Stulce and husband Brad; son, Ty Graf and wife Jessie; daughter, Tiffany Graf and Josh Baker; eight grandchildren: Anna, Kate, Alli, Joe, Tyler, Drew, Kenadee, and Kayden; her mother, Janice, her two brothers, Perry and Terry, and her two sisters, Sherry and Beth; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend– She will be greatly missed by so many.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 18, 2016, in Greenfield Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Shiloh Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America Heartland Chapter. Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.
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