Susan Elaine Penn, age 63, of Malvern, AR, formerly of Arkadelphia, passed away January 23, 2025.  She was born December 2, 1961, the only child of John and Dovie Christine Deere Penn.

Susan was born in Malvern, AR, but had lived at the Arkadelphia Human Development Center from the time she was 7 years old until she broke her ankle in 2020 and was moved to Courtyard Garden Nursing & Rehabilitation (now Nightingale) in Arkadelphia.  After a recent hospitalization, Susan came to live at Encore Nursing & Rehabilitation in Malvern so that she could be closer to her 2nd cousins, Jane Blackerby & Sue Parrish, who became her guardians after her mother's death in 2010.

Susan was a favorite at the AHDC, and she loved the staff there.  For many years, Susan and 5 other residents lived in a separate house on campus under the 24-hour care of a staff member.  Susan was happy and secure in that environment and was well taken care of by those ladies who stayed in the home.  She looked forward to going home every other weekend to spend time with her mother.  After her mother's passing, Jane and Sue would go get her and take her to McDonald's and Dollar Tree on outings for the "hamburger" and "toy" she always requested.  Her other love was puppy dogs, and all cards given to her had to have a puppy dog on them.

Susan is survived by several cousins and a host of former caretakers/friends.

Though she will be missed, we are comforted that she is now in heaven with Jesus and her parents.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 28, at 2:00 p.m. at Regency Funeral Home in Malvern with Bro. Ron Parrish officiating.  Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Arkadelphia Human Development Center Volunteer Counsel. (P.O. Box 70, Arkadelphia, AR 71923)

Arrangements are made by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guestbook at regencyfuneralhome.com.