Robert Lee Pennington, affectionately known as "R.L.", "Soul", and "Uncle Kemo", was born on July 15, 1947, in Vernon, AL to Ervin Bert and Irene Pennington. He was the eldest of eight children. He passed this life to rest October 7, 2017, in Vernon, AL.

Robert gave his life to Christ and was a faithful member and song leader to the West Side Church of Christ since 1996. He graduated from Todd High School, where he moved to Michigan and was employed by Pontiac Motors. After a few years, he moved back home to Vernon, AL, where he was then employed at Arvin Automotive in Fayette, AL. There, he worked as a forklift driver and retired after 36 years. During this time, he was married to Martha Faye Walker for 27 years, and to their union, four children were born. He was preceded in death by his son, Eric Keon Pennington, and his parents, Ervin Bert and Irene Pennington.

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 14, at 1:00 in the chapel of Chandler Funeral Home with Delmar Garrison officiating. Burial will follow at Furnace Hill. The wake will be Saturday 12:00-1:00 prior to the service.

Active pallbearers will be Landon Williams, Vinny Pennington, Anthony Downs, Jerome Coleman, Audie Williams, Eddie Walker, and James Nalls, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Marvin Pennington, Craig Pennington, Erwin Pennington, Don Pennington, Willie Walker, Jr., and William Earl Dorrough.

Robert leaves to continue his legacy, his children, Tonya Denise Pennington of Vernon, AL, Rodney Lee Pennington of Vernon, AL, and Valerie Chauntay Pennington of Vernon, AL; his grandchildren, Landon Keon Pennington, Ricole Denise Pennington, and Reagan Savannah Prowell; one great-grandchild, Kynzley Morgan William; four brothers, Marvin (Beverly) Pennington of Tupelo, MS, Craig (Linda) Pennington of Huntsville, AL, Ervin Pennington of Birmingham, AL, and Don (Dedra) Pennington of Birmingham, AL; three sisters, Lillie Ivy of Madison, AL, Evelyn (William Earl) Dorrough of Elkmont, AL, and Lisa (Kelvin) Harris of Florence, AL; one aunt, Lillie (Lewis) Cribbs of Mt. Clemons, MI; one uncle, James (Dorothy) Hooper of Mt. Clemons, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.