Penny Paulette (Payne) Berryman

Penny Paulette (Payne) Berryman went to be with her Lord & Savior on Sunday, September 30, 2012. Penny was born February 20, 1950, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Clyde Payne and Dottye Slaven Payne. She is preceded in death by her father and one sister, Laura Judd. She was a 1968 graduate of South High School in Kansas and later received her degree from Wichita State University. Penny was always involved and very active in everything she did. As a young girl she was in Girl Scouts, loved to play "Jacks," roller-skate, shoot marbles, climb trees, and basically stay outside till dark. In Junior High she was on the school newspaper staff, 8th & 9th grade Mixed Chorus Group, which performed for many school programs, and the Spring Music Festival. She was on the gymnastics team which she continued on into high school. Her first job was at Peter Pan Ice cream Store, then in the bakery at Dillons. She loved to fish, cook, garden & tinker with things. Growing up Penny and her family traveled over the USA competing in water skiing tournaments. She had a natural ability to learn quickly & her determined personality assured she was a success at everything she attempted!!! Penny was a living example of what we all want to be! She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother (MiMi) and a good friend to anyone that needed one. Simply spoken, she lived her life as an angel dedicated to others. Penny was a born champion!!! She was first runner-up in the Miss Kansas for the Miss USA Pageant. As an accomplished water skier, she clenched and won third in the Nationals Water Skiing Championship. After marrying her dream man, Dick Berryman, she went back to her first love which was fishing. Penny was a Daddy's girl and he introduced her to the sport, so it should come to know surprise that she turned her hobby into an amazing career. She truly pioneered and achieved the highest honors in the fishing industry. She qualified over 25 times in the Classic Qualifier of the Women's Pro tour and won many tournaments: 1985 Bass N' Gals Tournament of Champions, 1987 Bass N' Gals Georgia National Champion, 1989 Lady Bass Missouri National Champion, 1992, Bass N' Gals World "Classic" Champion, 1995 Bass N'Gals U.S. Invitational Champion. Her greatest accomplishment was when Penny won the Bass N' Gals "Angler of the Year" award in 1997. In 2004, Penny was inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame. It was no easy road to get there, but she made it, determined to make a friend and leave a footprint to all who wanted to follow. She will be greatly missed by all. Penny is survived by husband Dick Berryman; son, Sam Berryman; daughter, Lisa Berryman Lowry (Danny), grandchildren Luke, Dylan & Taylor; mother, Dottye Payne Slaven of Wichita, Kansas; two sisters, Johnna Payne Smith (Chuck) of Augusta, Kansas, Darlinda Harpstrite of California & many niece, nephews and a host of wonderful friends. Last, but not least, her dog Kat Man and cat Spunky. Pallbearers will be Danny Lowry, Shep Crumpton, Rudy Toepke, John T. Hall, Bart Langley and Chuck Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dylan Lowry, Luke Lowry, Chris Baugher and Kathy Majors. Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 5 with Duawn Mearns officiating at Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 4 at Davis-Smith Funeral Home. Penny will be laid to rest in Oxford, Kansas. Graveside Service 11 a.m., Saturday, October 6, 2012. A memorial service will also be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 7, at Riverside Christian Church in Wichita, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, take a kid fishing and the next time you catch a big one....think of Penny. Guest registry at www.davis-smith.com.