Era Mae Sexton Penland

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville announces graveside services for Mrs. Era Mae Sexton Penland, age 91, of Blairsville, Georgia, who passed away on Friday, April 9th, 2021 while a resident in Union County Nursing Home in Blairsville.

Mrs. Penland was born in Blairsville, a daughter of the late Edd Thomas and the late Fannie Pearl Cloer Thomas. Mrs. Penland had owned a beauty parlor and an antique business, and had lived in Atlanta, High Point, North Carolina, Aiken, South Carolina, and Edgefield, South Carolina, before moving back to Blairsville. She attended The House of Prayer Church in Blairsville, and was a Christian who loved the Lord and looked forward to being reunited with family and friends that were already in heaven. Besides her parents, Mrs. Penland had been preceded in death by two husbands: Worth Sexton and Madison Penland; a son, David William Sexton; sisters: Vina Cook, Ruby Akins, Thelma Coker, Pauline Collins, Irene Collins, and Flora Collins; brothers: John Thomas, Nathan Thomas, and Harvey J. Thomas.

Surviving family members include a son and daughter-in-law, Timothy P. and Judy Sexton, of Virginia; son and daughter-in-law, John K. and Tammy Sexton, of North Carolina; step-sons, David Penland and T.R. Penland; three grandchildren: Matthew Sexton, Brett Sexton (Blair), and Sarah Sexton; many other nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.

A private family funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 12th, 2021, in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home in Blairsville, with Rev. Jerry Helton officiating. Graveside services for family and friends was held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, at Old Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Jerry Helton officiating. The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Loy Cook, Jerry Cook, Chris Dyer, Darrell Cook, Leon Thomas and Doug Collins.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville. Please share your condolences and sign the online guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.