Barbara Estell Colvin Penix (Mim/Babs) of Lone Oak, Kentucky, was born at home in Paducah, Kentucky, on April 15, 1925, to the late Jack and Grace Colvin. She passed away at Parkview Nursing Home, just three days shy of her 101st. birthday.
Barbara attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from Heath High School. She was a long-time member of First Christian Church of Paducah. Barbara was a telephone operator and a retired beautician from the Ritz Hotel, where she worked many years alongside her two lifelong friends, the late Edith Gilliam and the late Edna Nelson.
Barbara enjoyed sewing classes, singing, attending Senior Citizen meals and programs, winning medals at the Senior Games, Homemaker’s Club, dancing, and taking lessons from Freddie Hicks. She had the honor of being a Duchess of Paducah, and she was also a Kentucky Colonel.
Barbara is survived by her Son, Bruce Penix (Jeanie) of West Paducah, Kentucky; Daughter-In-Law, Teresa Penix of Paducah, Kentucky; four Grandchildren, Laurel Grider (Glendo) of Nashville, Tennessee, Heather Fortner (Brent) of Benton, Kentucky, Kelly Kelley (Joey) of Mayfield, Kentucky, and Lance Penix of Paducah, Kentucky.
Eleven Great-Grandchildren, Lydia Stener (Matt) of Minnesota, Hannah Grider of Clarksville, Tennessee, Sarah Marquez (Aaron) of Clarksville, Tennessee, Rebekah Dudding (Brent) of Nashville, Tennessee, Shelby Johnston (Matthew) of Hunstville, Alabama, Reese Fortner of Murray, Kentucky, Addie Fortner of Nashville, Tennessee, Erika George (Justin) of Lewisburg, Kentucky, Hayden and Kendall Kelley of Mayfield, Kentucky, and Knox Penix of Paducah, Kentucky.
Twelve Great-Great-Grandchildren, Immanuel, Isaiah, and Gideon Stener of N. St. Paul, Minnesota, Reign and Phoenix Perkins of Clarksville, Tennessee, Ann Berlin, Abriel, Adam, and Amora Marquez of Clarksville, Tennessee, Elliot and Vinny Dudding of Nashville, Tennessee, and Rowan George of Lewisburg, Kentucky.
Barbara was preceded in death by her Husband, William Earl Penix of Lone Oak, Kentucky, Son, Terry Lynn Penix of Paducah, Kentucky, Brothers, Conrad Colvin of Paducah, Kentucky, and Paul Colvin of Milledgeville, Georgia, Sister-In-Law, Wanda Goin of Paducah, Kentucky, her Parents, Jack and Grace Colvin of Paducah, Kentucky, and her beloved Father-In-Law and Mother-In-Law, Earl and Lucy Penix of Paducah, Kentucky.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Bro. Harold Draper officiating. Burial will follow at Maplelawn Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the service hour of 12:00 pm on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
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