Penelope Susan Uptergrove

Penelope Susan Uptergrove, 45, of Mineral Wells, Texas, passed away on September 10, 2026. Penny was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. To know her was to know a very special kind of love.

Penny was born with Down Syndrome. When she was born, a doctor told her family, “These children will either make or break a family.” Boy, did she make ours.

Penny was a blessing to so many people who knew her and her family. She was never defined by her disability. She was one of a kind, deeply loved, and an irreplaceable part of our family. Our hearts are full of love for her, and because of Penny, we learned how to live with greater kindness, compassion, and love.

She was a child of God. She was her mama and daddy’s baby. She was a big sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and aunt. She was made to be Aunt Penny. She was also a cherished friend to so many.

Penny loved going to church and singing, even if she sang a little off-key. Jesus loved that singing—it came straight from her heart. Her faith, her joy, and her beautiful spirit touched everyone around her.

Penny was preceded in death by her father, John Uptergrove Sr.; her grandparents, Grandma Tapp, Papa Curtis, Mema and Papa, and Papa Jim.

She leaves behind her mother, Susan Uptergrove; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Melissa and Chris Hatley and Rachel and Oscar Diaz; her brother and sister-in-law, John Uptergrove Jr. and Brittany; her beloved nephews, Gavin, Jude, Xander, Finn, Mason, and Liam, and nieces, Madeline, Addison, and Hannah. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends who were blessed to know her.

Our hearts are so sad and so heavy. We will miss our ray of sunshine more than words can ever express. Yet, we know without a doubt that Penny ran straight into the arms of Jesus and the loved ones who were waiting for her.

She leaves behind so many memories—precious, funny, joyful, sassy, and unforgettable. The grief feels so heavy because our hearts are overflowing with love and memories of a life that meant so much to so many.

Penny may have been given a life that others thought would be defined by limitations, but she showed us that a life can instead be defined by love, kindness, faith, joy, and the difference one beautiful soul can make.

She was our Penny. 

She was our blessing.

She was our ray of sunshine.

And she will forever be loved and missed.