Obituary of Diane McCall Penn

MS. DIANE McCALL-PENN Diane’s circle of life began on July 2, 1955 when the late Mr. James and Mrs. Lucille McCall were blessed with a beautiful baby girl in Washington, DC. Diane completed her circle on April 28, 2021. She received her wings and left the worries of this world at 4pm in Gardena, California. At the age of twelve, Diane accepted Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Diane was a member of Greater Bethany Apostolic Church in Los Angeles and later joined East 105th Street Christian Church on South Avalon Blvd, Los Angeles under the leadership of Pastor Elton J. Penn, where she served faithfully until her passing. One thing she NEVER failed to do was to pay her tithes. Diane moved to San Diego, CA along with her family at the age of five, where she attended Sherman Elementary School and Memorial Jr. High School. In 1969 Diane relocated to Los Angeles and attended the Los Angeles Job Corps Center where she completed her education. On July 2, 1973 Diane was united in Holy Matrimony to Thomas Penn Sr. To this union six children were born. Diane loved her family and friends and would do anything she could if you needed her. There was never a question of how she felt about you. She was very outspoken, blunt and right to the point. If it were your birthday, you could expect a midnight call. She never failed to let you know she loved you. Concerts were expected when her grandkids were around. She’d rally them up to sing her favorite songs and dance. If you knew anything about Diane, you knew she didn’t care for too much hair on her head. Her kids loved teasing her and calling her “Head” because of the shape of her head which she passed on to her grandkids. Diane worked at several convalescent hospitals until her health began to decline. She had a special love for the elderly, sick and shut-in. Diane was preceded in death by her parents, grandmother Estella Henry Davis, brother Charles McCall, granddaughter Marcayla Penn, aunt Ruth Mae Williams, cousin Emogene Briggs, sister- in-law Carolyn Penn, nephews Willie Coon Jr., Joseph Penn, father-in-law Augustus Jackson, and mother Elsie Jones. Diane loved the Lord and she was a prayer warrior. She loved her children and grandchildren. Diane leaves to cherish her loving memory six children; her one and only daughter Joi Lucillie McCall, sons Thomas Penn Jr. (Shavona), Marcus Penn, Joseph Penn, Pastor Elton J. Penn (Quiana), Daron Penn, eighteen grandchildren Jeremy, Dijae, Raishawn, Christan, Marquisha, Marcus II, Makaila, Joseph Jr., Kayla, Madalyne, Jeremiah, Josiah, Alexis, Marnea, Simone, Essaun, Cori, Daron Jr., great-grandson Michael, siblings Stella McCall, Patricia Smith (Larry), Ralph McCall, sister-in-laws Shiela, Dorothy, Mary, mother-in-law Willmus, brother-in-laws James, Norman, Larry, and Jerome, bonus children Tenia, Rhonda, Marvette, David, Big T, Anthony, Jeremy, Guy, Guyeisha, Spencer, LeJohn, Gyisha, Ebony, best-sister-friend Margaret, Goddaughter Inez, Leroyal Jones “Papa Jones” and bonus grandchildren Joey, Gari, Laila and Randi.

Saturday, May 22, 2021 10:00 am East 105th Street Christian Church 10500 S. Avalon Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90003 Elton Penn, Senior Pastor Opening Prayer.............................................................Pastor Phillip White Christ Centered Old Testament Scripture (Psalm 23)............ Minister Josephine Hardwell New Testament Scripture (John 14:1-3) .................. Minister James Gibbs Musical Selection .........................This is the Day that the Lord Has Made Acknowledgements/Resolution...........................................Joseph Penn, Jr. Remarks...........................................(Please keep all remarks to 2 minutes) Praise Dance .......................................................Minister Akela Wroten, Jr. Video Presentation........................................................................Joi McCall Reading of Obituary.....................................................................Tenia Penn Musical Selection ........................................................................ Total Praise Eulogy ................................................... Assistant Pastor Courtney Stanton East 105th St Christian Church Recessional........................................................................................................ REPAST Anderson Park 19101 Wilmington Ave Carson CA 90746









We are sisters in heart, We’ve shared so much laughter, Shared so many tears. We had a spiritual kinship that grew stronger each year. We were not sisters by birth, but we knew from the start, God put us together to be sisters in heart. I love you dearly, and I can hear you saying “I Love You More”. Your Sister-Friend Margaret My heart hurts to know my mom passed away today. This pain is like no other, even though I know you’re no longer suffering. Although I’ve made many mistakes, I pray that my life brings honor to your name. Mom, I want you to know that for every moment, every conversation, every mistake and every secret we shared, I know you loved us as best you could. You repeatedly apologized for the pain of the past, and never felt you could make up for your mistakes. The day I watched your body lay there lifeless, as I said to you before, everything happened for a reason. Strength is birthed out of struggle. To Diane Penn, you will al- ways be remembered as “Momma”. Love your son Elton who hurts but understands you had to leave this life. R.I.P. To my mom, my Queen Diane Penn. You gave me life and the strongest love I will ever feel. Thank you for showing me how to have faith in God and trusting in Him with my whole heart. I will forever love & miss you. “Rest in the Arms of the Most High.” Your baby boy Daron Royel Penn & Kids We didn’t talk every day on the phone, but if we needed one another we’d be there. Hearing you say, “every body is fine up here, I just called to check on ya’ll”, and you’d name all the kids. I now realize you didn’t want to burden or worry me, but like I always told you, it let me know what to pray for. I will always remember our talks about God, his faith and so many other things. You will always be in my heart, Love your sister Stella You loved me as your daughter and you were my “Ma Diane”. Memories of you will forever be cher- ished. You’ll always be in my heart and I’m already missing our Monday talks. R.I.P Ma Diane. Love Tenia (I got that wink!)















PALLBEARERS: Thomas Penn, Jr. Marcus Penn Joseph Penn Sr. Elton Penn Daron Penn Sr. Jeremy Allen, Jr. HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Spencer Kelley ` Estan Silva Terrance Lincoln (Big T) Anthony Dubbose David Ballomy Jarod Nichols (JT) Thomas Penn, Sr. Leroyal Jones (Pop Jones) LeJohn Tate Jeremy Dumbar Guy McCoy Estan Silva Jr. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Family of Diane McCall-Penn would like to express sincere thanks and gratitude for the acts of kindness and love extended during our time of sorrow. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and may God bless each and every one of you. Obituaries by Mack Enterprises Unlimited 323.789.6224