Audrey Carolyn Pennington, 78, of South Charleston, WV passed away peacefully on Thursday February 12, 2026 at the Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV.  She was born on June 27, 1947 in Bedford, VA.  She grew up in Kopperston, WV in Wyoming County.  Audrey graduated from Oceana High School in Oceana, WV in 1965.

After graduation, she attended Capitol City Commercial College and graduated with a Secretarial Degree.  She started her career at Charleston National Bank working as a secretary.  Audrey then transitioned to WV state government, where she held various positions during the first two administrations of Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. from 1969 through 1977.  She was then hired as the Executive Secretary and Office Manager for the Law Offices of Arch A. Moore, Jr. from 1977 through 1984.  Audrey became the Treasurer for the re-election campaign of Arch Moore in 1984 and returned to state government to become the Executive Secretary and Office Manager for the Office of the Governor, Arch A. Moore, Jr. from 1985 – 1989.  After a six-year stopover at McJunkin Corporation from 1991 – 1997, she came back to WV state government where she worked in the Department of Tax and Revenue under several administrations.  Audrey retired in 2017 as the Executive Secretary for the Cabinet Secretary at the Department of Tax and Revenue.  She was regarded by her friends & co-workers as an exceptional woman, a dedicated employee, and was known for her loyalty and efficiency with any task.

Audrey was very excited to retire, and she cherished the extra time she was able to spend with her grandchildren & family in North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as with her extended family in Ohio, WV, Kentucky, and Maryland.  She was a fierce & loyal WVU fan, loved to travel to WV football games with friends & family, and was known on occasion to yell at the TV while watching WV football & basketball games.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Reece C. Pennington, and Dorothy Reynolds Pennington, of Kopperston, WV, and her brother Larry Pennington, of Crestview, FL.  She is survived by her sons, James Patrick Toler & wife Melissa of Charlotte, NC, and Dr. John Christopher Toler & wife Lynette of Summerville, SC; her brother Lyle Pennington & wife Marge of Moorpark, CA; her sister Iris Toler of South Charleston, WV; and her grandchildren Madison & Mason Toler of Charlotte, NC and Faith Toler of Summerville, SC.  Audrey (“Nana”) is also survived by her extended family including daughter-in-law Diane Plantz & husband Steve of Charleston, WV; stepdaughter Kim Rice of Proctorville, OH; and grandchildren Bo Plantz & wife Courtney of Parkville, MD, Sam Plantz & wife Danielle of Morgantown, WV, Kristin Wine & husband Justin of Crown City, OH, Sarah Butler & husband Justin of Maysville, KY, and Laura Rice of Chesapeake, OH.  In addition, she is survived by her great-grandchildren including Isla, Adaleigh, Emmie, and Lena, as well as a host of close friends and additional family.

A memorial service will be held at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston, WV at 3 p.m. on Saturday March 21, 2026.  Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Diane Plantz, Shirley Dissen, Amy Farley, and Lisa Swann for their compassionate caring for Audrey during her ultimate time of need while in hospice.

Memories of Audrey may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary.  Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that donations be made in memory of Audrey Pennington to the National Adoption Association, supporting children in foster care in finding permanent, loving families.  Donations may be made at National Adoption Association, 605 Global Way, Suite 100, Linthicum, MD 21090 or at https://tinyurl.com/3thdpbdh.