Dwight Hunter Penland, age 65 of Hayesville, NC passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
He was born in Hiawassee, GA to the late J.D. and Hazel Hunter Penland. Dwight loved spending time with his wife, kids and grandkids. He enjoyed dirt track racing. Dwight was the longest serving county commissioner in Hayesville with 20 years of service as commissioner and 8 years of service as a member of the Board of Education. He was recently inducted into the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine" by Governor, Josh Stein. The Long Leaf Pine Award is among the most prestigious awards conferred by the Governor for a person's exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and its communities that is above and beyond the call of duty and which has made a significant impact and strengthened North Carolina. He was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church in Hiawassee, GA.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant nephew, Gene Bryant Penland; nephew, Randall David Penland; and two brothers, Gene Penland and Dennis "Cotton" Penland.
He is survived by his wife, Leonia "Sissie Carringer" Penland; one son, Jarrod Penland (Sandy) of Hayesville; one daughter, Jadrian Penland (Cody) Neumann of Hayesville; step children, Thomas Wood (Aja) of Warne, NC, Tiffany Wood of Morganton, NC, and Tabitha Norman of Hayesville, NC; two brothers, David Penland (Anna Dean) and Dale Penland (Mirle) all of Hiawassee, GA; two sister in laws, Joyce Penland and Wylene Penland both of Hiawassee, GA; grandchildren, Carson Penland and Aubree English; step grandchildren, Dylan Brown, Corey Brown, Taylor Brown, Caira Bell, Evana Bell, Harleigh Bell, Trooper Wood, Tank Wood, Presley Wood, Sunnie Anderson and Axyl Anderson; and bonus grandchildren, Calvin and Cade Neumann.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 am, Monday, March 16, 2026 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel of Hayesville. Rev. Brent Penland and Rev. Mark Shook will officiate. Burial will be in the Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Master Pallbearer Carson Jarrod Penland, Jacky Jones, Stacey White, Junior Beck, Brian Penland, Jeff Penland and Kemmy Garrett. Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen "Doc" Sellers, Randy Nichols, Scotty Penland, Rob Peck, Clay Logan, Keith Holcomb, Austin Phillips, Chris Henson, Donnie Martin and Verlon Ledford.
The family will receive friends from 6 pm to 9 pm, Sunday, March 15, 2026 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel of Hayesville.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com
