JOHN STARNES PENLEY　

JOHN STARNES PENLEY “Johnny” (1879-1885) was the son of George Washington and Adeline Robinette Penley. He died at the age of 6 and is believed to be the first grave in the Penley Cemetery on Skydusky Road. His illness and death were reported in the book, Journal of Dr. John Howe Hoge, 1877-1896 by Robert & Judith Hetherington: “Dec. 14, 1885 (Monday) Fair, went to see G. W. Penley’s boy, stayed all night; Dec. 15, 1885 (Tuesday), Fair, stayed at Penleys; Dec. 16, 1885 (Wednesday) Fair, G. W. Penley’s John died 7 o’clock am, came home.” Photo is from the Ann Hardy Beardshall collection at the Bland County Historical Society’s Bogle Library.