Phillip Niven Pennell

It is with deep sadness and a profound sense of loss that we announce the passing of Phillip Niven Pennell (Big Phil), age 65, who passed with grace on December 29, 2025, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, North Carolina.

Phil was born to Dick and Jan Pennell on January 6, 1960, in Lenoir, North Carolina. After living in Lenoir through his teens, Phil moved to Greensboro, where he attended UNC Greensboro. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics, before later attending UNC Chapel Hill for his doctorate. After graduating from UNC-G, Phil joined the faculty there, where he met the love of his life, Cindy Tise.

Phil and Cindy were married on June 28, 1986, less than 6 months after meeting. Together, Phil and Cindy moved across the country - to Texas, to Connecticut, back to Texas and finally back home to North Carolina. These moves were always driven by Phil’s desire to improve his family’s life. No matter where he was in the country, Phil’s character and passions were consistent. He was defined by his generosity, positivity, and kindness, which were always recognized by his colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family.

He loved following his sports teams (Tar Heels, Cowboys, and Yankees), dinners with his wife at Silo (his favorite restaurant in San Antonio), caring for his animals (house pets and wild critters, alike), watching movies and shows of all genres with his family, and learning anything and everything from his favorite YouTube channels.

While Phil poured his heart into his work and many passions, nothing mattered more to him than his family. He is survived by the person to whom he was most dedicated, his wife of 39 years, Cynthia Tise Pennell; loving mother, Jan Pennell; devoted brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Susan Tise; son and daughter-in-law, Phil Pennell and Rachel Bozich; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Derek Woolard; son and daughter-in-law, Josh and Grae Brown; grandson, Bennett Brown; the future son of Kelly and Derek, due in March 2026; and many loved and cherished aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial and celebration of his life will be held on his birthday Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, at Lower Creek Baptist Church at 11:00 AM.

Evans Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the Pennell Family. In lieu of flowers, online condolences and support of foundations close to Phil’s heart may be offered at www.evansfuneralservice.com as well as the following organizations:

The Flynn Foundation

The Flynn Foundation’s mission is to attract, inspire, and help professionally develop the next generation of oncology nurses with the goal of improving the future quality of care for cancer patients and their families. Its flagship Oncology Nursing Fellowship program was established in 2014 by Fred Flynn in memory of his late wife Susan, who died of ovarian cancer in 2013. Since then, nearly 400 aspiring oncology nurses have completed its signature Fellowship program — addressing an important workforce development gap for hospitals, many of which struggle to identify and attract well trained oncology nurses.

Susan and Fred were friends of Phil and Cindy during their shared time living in Stamford, CT.

https://theflynnfoundation.org/get-involved/donate 

SNIPSA

SNIPSA is an organization dedicated to helping homeless and unwanted animals in San Antonio. SNIPSA does not have a standing shelter and depends on a core group of volunteers to foster and rehabilitate animals in their homes. SNIPSA was incorporated in 2006 and has re-homed more than 24,000 animals, including Gunner and Olive Pennell.

https://snipsa.org/donation-options 

Tunnel to Towers

Tunnel to Towers is a foundation dedicated to helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children, and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. The foundation is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness.

https://t2t.org/donate