Shirley Penny Molandes

Funeral services for Shirley Penny Molandes, 77, of Lufkin, Texas will be 10:00 am Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Dickie Allen Funeral Home in Cushing with Rick LeRibeus officiating. There will be a visitation from from 9:00 am until 10:00 am one hour prior to services on Wednesday. 

Shirley Irene Penney Molandes, forever known as Mimi, Momma Shirley, Afromomma, Ms. Shirley, Aunt Shirley and Mom met her Savior face to face on July 20th, 2022. Shirley was born on August 8th, 1944 in Cushing, Texas to her parents, Clarence and Nora Penney. On her 18th birthday in 1962, she married her beloved husband, Leonard Molandes.
Momma was a lover of all things, big or small. Full of life and unconditional love, Momma was looked up to by so many. For many years, she dedicated her hard work ethic to being a supervisor overseeing all of the Texacos in Lufkin. A specific job that brought her the most joy and always put a smile on her face was when she opened up her own home to being a babysitter.  Every child and parent that stepped through the door frame was automatically loved and cherished by her sweet soul. Family and friends, as said in their words, remember her as being a “spitfire,” “spunky,” and “amazing.”

When it came to sports, she was the number one fan of the Houston Astros. We would go all the time to watch them play, and it never ceased to brighten her day or put a smile on her face. Momma was deeply involved with the Lufkin Softball Program, where she was placed in many important roles, and ran the concession stand for years on end. Most of the girls on the team discussed Momma Shirley as “one of a kind.” They also stated that she treated every member on the team as if they were her own daughters. The truth is every face she met, they became an important soul in her precious heart. She also adored wrestling to its fullest potential. She was referred to as Momma Shirley by not just the wrestlers, but also by their families. Every person knew that she would be in the front row at every show, being their number one supporter and cheering them on. She loved her wrestling kids, and the adventures they had up and down the roads at shows. It brought so much joy to her life. Knowing that her wrestling son Rick LeRibeus (Mark Von Erich) is the one giving her going home service, would mean the world to her, and make it that more special of a service.

Her love for Jesus shined for the world to see everywhere she went. She was a radiant beam in the eyes of the Lord. She served the Lord her God in everything that she did, and never
hesitated to pray when it got too hard to go on. Jesus was her best friend. She was an active member in her church, playing important roles in serving. She never backed down from an
opportunity to volunteer for church functions, and she also ran the ladies guild. Her love for Jesus has been described as fierce, and today she is finally with her Savior, worshiping and
walking with her best friend.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her loving husband, brothers Sonny Penney, James “Chicken” Penney, and sisters Juanell Marks, and Glenda Rawlinson. She is
survived by her beloved daughter Angela and Charles Mann of Troy, TX, grandson Dakota Mann who she was so proud of, of Camp Lejeune, NC. Brothers Marty and wife Manelle Penney
of Nacogdoches, Paul and Pat Penney of Reklaw, and Buddy Penney and Doris Jordan of Cushing. Sisters Robbie Rogers of Cushing, and Laura Phillips of Tradwick. Many beautiful and
special nieces and nephews that she loved dearly, along with several great-nieces and nephews, that meant the world to her. Pallbearers are Bubba Phillips, Sonny Eddington, Cameron Logan, Dakota Mann, Manz Rogers and Jaxson Lingard. Honorary pallbearers will be all of the children that referred to Ms. Shirley as mom.

Her legacy of grace, beauty, and unconditional love is one that will live on in the hearts of so many for years to come. We will all miss her very much, but we know she is staring her beloved Jesus in the face today because she was, and always will be, a good and faithful servant.

Matthew 5:4 - “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Pallbearers will be Bubba Phillips, Sonny Eddingon, Cameron Logan, Dakota Mann, Manz Rogers, and Jaxson Lingard.

Honorary Pallbearers will be all of the children that referred to Ms. Shirley as mom.

The family has invited everyone to attend a repast at the Sacul Community Center in Sacul, Texas directly following interment. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Penny Molandes, please visit our floral store.