Jeanette Penland

THE LIFE & LEGACY OF Jeanette 

Jeanette Penland, affectionately known as "Nette", beloved matriarch from the South, born in Greenville, SC, on March 9, 1936, to the late Jacob Holmes (deceased) and Geneva Scott Holmes Harris (deceased). 

Jeanette attended Baker's Chapter Elementary School and Sterling High School in Greenville, SC, up until the 11th grade. She left high school to tend to her mother, who at the time was sick. With her being the oldest of the girls, she was looked up to by her younger siblings. She wanted to be a hairstylist but since that dream didn't transpire, she met a man named James Penland, whom she married in 1954 when she was 18 years old in Greenville, S.C. in her pastor's home. In their union, they welcomed 4 children, Janice Penland, Teresa "Tresa" Penland-Williams (Tony), Falicia "Terrie" Penland, and James "Bojay" Penland, Jr. She moved to Cleveland, Ohio with her husband at 20 years old. After arriving in Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband working several jobs to make ends meet, she and her husband banded together with his brother and formed T&J Janitorial Cleaning Services. They gained contracts to clean offices, movie theaters, and businesses. 

After 10 years in the business together, Jeanette branched off to form her own business titled Jan's Cleaning Service. She cleaned homes and offices employing her daughter, Teresa, and often had the assistance of her grandchildren, Jeana, Qiauna, Nina, and Kelvin "Tanka", as she affectionately called him. She later retired in 2004. In her spare time, Jeanette loved watching the local and worldly news on TV, had the joy of putting together puzzles, cooking, attending church, car rides, and traveling, eating out at buffet restaurants like Golden Corral, Hometown Buffet, Ponderosa, Fuji Buffet and so many more, enjoying cookouts with her family and close friends, and attending family gatherings. 

She loved attending a good party where she would have a ball laughing, eating, and be ready to leave to go get in bed. She loved telling others in her soulful southern tone, gotta get my rest, honey," and "I be in the bed early cause I get up early, chile". Most of all, she had a love for baking anything from her homemade rolls from scratch to her cakes and pies. Jeanette's 2 favorite cakes to make were her famous Pineapple Coconut and German Chocolate cakes. Let us not forget her famous southern white potato pie and her southern peach cobbler, just to name a few. 

Jeanette had a love for gardening, with the Geranium plant being a favorite of hers to purchase. Jeanette was known for her culinary talents, warm spirit, straightforward, honest nature, a heart full of joy, and a strong sense of family. 

Jeanette accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Bethlehem Methodist Church in Greenville, SC. Jeanette's love for Christ was everything to her. She came to Cleveland, Ohio, and joined Common People Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Roosevelt Suggs where she was the Queen of putting together and participating in "cake walks". The church later changed its name to Great Commission under the leadership of Pastor Larry Tuggle. Years later, Jeanette joined Greater Peace Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Walter R. Houston. Years later, and lastly still under Pastor Walter R. Houston, she joined his church, Temple Of Praise Baptist Church. 

She loved her church, her church family, and she mostly loved her pastor. "My Lil' Old Pastor" as she would affectionately refer to him. She loved working for the Lord, a former Deaconess, servant leader of The Ruth Circle Ministry, and helping with the church's outreach program, serving in the food ministry. 

Jeanette, being the oldest mother of the church, was affectionately known as and called "Mother" and "Mother Penland" by her church family. Jeanette was our very own go-to praying woman!! When you needed a long heart-wrenching prayer, one that you know is going to get across, then you call on "Mother Penland." 

Jeanette was one of seven siblings and preceded in death: William "Brut" Holmes (deceased) (Francis), Andrew "Chip" Holmes (deceased), James "Jay" Holmes (deceased), Jacob "Dick" Holmes (deceased), Edward Holmes (deceased), and Talmadge "Buddy" Holmes (deceased) (Rachelle), Annette Holmes (deceased) and Jessie Mae Holmes (deceased). 

Jeanette has 9 grandchildren: Jeana "Jeana Mae" Penland, Qiauna "Qiauna Mae" Penland, Nina "Bulldog" Parker, Kelvin "Tink/Tanka" Penland, Kyla "Kyla Mae" Penland-Amie (Donzelle), Jamilah "Mi-Mi" Penland, Parris "Parrie" Penland, Jadah Penland, and Jahmez Penland Jeanette has 11 great-grandchildren: Alayjah "Lay-Lay" Davis, Niquira "Peanut" Cammon, DeMarlo "Chip" Sullivan, Keleisha "Lei-Lei" Penland, Lazarius "LA" Penland, Amber "Sally" Williams, Andre "AJ" McNeiley, Jr., Lundyn "Lun- Lun" Morrison, Amari "Sweet Pea" Penland, Devanaireon "DJ" Marcus, and Donzelle "Pumpkin" Amie, Jr. Jeanette has 2 sister in laws: Rachelle Holmes and Francis Holmes. A host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends. 

A public viewing will be held on October 9, 2025, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at the House Of Peace Funeral Home, 4105 East 71st Street, Cleveland, OH.  The Celebration of Life Service will be held on October 10, 2025, with a 10:00AM Wake and 10:30AM Service also at the House Of Peace Funeral Home, 4105 East 71st Street, Cleveland, OH

We welcome you to provide your thoughts, memories, and pictures on Jeanette's tribute wall. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Jeanette please click here to visit our sympathy store.