Penton (DeSoto County, MS)

Notable Births & Deaths for Penton ...

Below is our list of notable people who were born, died or were buried in the area surrounding Penton. Please note that while we are collecting data on an ongoing basis, it's a big task and it's unlikely that our list will ever be more than a sample.

Dorris Bowdon (Actress)
- Full name: Dorris Estelle Bowdon
- She was born in Coldwater (MS) on December 27, 1914 (a Sunday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on August 9, 2005 (a Tuesday).
- Coldwater is located in Tate County and is 20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of her death, she was 90.
- She is buried at Westwood Memorial Park, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Dorris Bowdon<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Westwood Memorial Park (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Westwood Memorial Park
Frank Otis Frost (Musician)
- He was born in Auvergne (AR) on April 15, 1936 (a Wednesday) and died in Helena (AR) on October 12, 1999 (a Tuesday).
- Auvergne is located in Jackson County, Arkansas.
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- At the time of his death, he was 63.
- He is buried at Magnolia Cemetery, located 28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest of Penton. The cemetery is located in Phillips County, Arkansas.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Frank Otis Frost<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Magnolia Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Magnolia Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Magnolia Cemetery
Stanley David Griggs (Astronaut)
- He was born in Portland (OR) on September 7, 1939 (a Thursday) and died in Earle (AR) on June 17, 1989 (a Saturday).
- Portland is located in Multnomah County, Oregon.
- Earle is located in Crittenden County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- At the time of his death, he was 49.
- He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, which is located in Arlington County, Virginia.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Stanley David Griggs<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Arlington National Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Arlington National Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Arlington National Cemetery
Red Holloway (Jazz musician)
- Born: James Wesley Holloway
- He was born in Helena (AR) on May 31, 1927 (a Tuesday) and died in San Luis Obispo (CA) on February 25, 2012 (a Saturday).
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 84.
- He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Red Holloway<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills
Walter 'Shakey' Horton (Musician)
- He was born in Horn Lake (MS) on April 6, 1921 (a Wednesday) and died in Chicago (IL) on December 8, 1981 (a Tuesday).
- Horn Lake is located 15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast of Penton. Both communities are located in DeSoto County.
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 60.
- He is buried at Restvale Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Walter 'Shakey' Horton<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Restvale Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Restvale Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Restvale Cemetery
James Earl Jones (Actor)
- He was born in Arkabutla (MS) on January 17, 1931 (a Saturday) and died in Pawling (NY) on September 9, 2024 (a Monday).
- Arkabutla is located in Tate County and is 14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- Pawling is located in Dutchess County, New York.
- At the time of his death, he was 93.
- The body was cremated.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for James Earl Jones<1>
Robert Nighthawk (Musician)
- Born: Robert Lee McCollum
- He was born in Helena (AR) on November 30, 1909 (a Tuesday) and died in Helena (AR) on November 5, 1967 (a Sunday).
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- At the time of his death, he was 58.
- He is buried at Magnolia Cemetery, located 28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest of Penton. The cemetery is located in Phillips County, Arkansas.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Robert Nighthawk<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Magnolia Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Magnolia Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Magnolia Cemetery
Oscar Polk (Actor)
- He was born in Marianna (AR) on December 25, 1899 (a Monday) and died in New York (NY) on January 4, 1949 (a Tuesday).
- Marianna is located in Lee County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- New York is located in Kings County, New York.
- At the time of his death, he was 49.
- He is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, which is located in Queens County, New York.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Oscar Polk<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Mt. Olivet Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Mt. Olivet Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Mt. Olivet Cemetery
Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith (Musician)
- He was born in Helena (AR) on January 19, 1936 (a Sunday) and died in Chicago (IL) on September 16, 2011 (a Friday).
- Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 75.
- He is buried at Restvale Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Restvale Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Restvale Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Restvale Cemetery
Sarah 'Big Time Sarah' Streeter (Singer)
- She was born in Coldwater (MS) on January 31, 1953 (a Saturday) and died in Chicago (IL) on June 13, 2015 (a Saturday).
- Coldwater is located in Tate County and is 20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of her death, she was 62.
- She is buried at Burr Oak Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Sarah 'Big Time Sarah' Streeter<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Burr Oak Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Burr Oak Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Burr Oak Cemetery
John 'Big John' Tate (Professional boxer)
- He was born in Marion (AR) on January 29, 1955 (a Saturday) and died in Knoxville (TN) on April 9, 1998 (a Thursday).
- Marion is located in Crittenden County and is 24 miles [38.6 km] to the north of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- Knoxville is located in Knox County, Tennessee.
- At the time of his death, he was 43.
- He is buried at Edmondson Cemetery, located 15 miles [24.1 km] to the north of Penton. The cemetery is located in Crittenden County, Arkansas.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for John 'Big John' Tate<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Edmondson Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Edmondson Cemetery
Johnnie Taylor (Singer)
- Full name: Johnnie Harrison Taylor
- He was born in Crawfordsville (AR) on May 5, 1934 (a Saturday) and died in Duncanville (TX) on May 31, 2000 (a Wednesday).
- Crawfordsville is located in Crittenden County and is 24 miles [38.6 km] to the north of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- Duncanville is located in Dallas County, Texas.
- At the time of his death, he was 66.
- He is buried at Forest Hill & Calvary Cemetery, which is located in Jackson County, Missouri.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Johnnie Taylor<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Hill & Calvary Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Hill & Calvary Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Forest Hill & Calvary Cemetery
William Caesar Warfield (Singer)
- He was born in West Helena (AR) on January 22, 1920 (a Thursday) and died in Chicago (IL) on August 25, 2002 (a Sunday).
- West Helena is located in Phillips County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 82.
- He is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery, which is located in Monroe County, New York.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for William Caesar Warfield<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Mt. Hope Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Mt. Hope Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Mt. Hope Cemetery
Minor Watson (Actor)
- He was born in Marianna (AR) on December 22, 1889 (a Sunday) and died in Alton (IL) on July 28, 1965 (a Wednesday).
- Marianna is located in Lee County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Penton (which is located in DeSoto County).
- Alton is located in Madison County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 75.
- He is buried at Alton Cemetery, which is located in Madison County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Minor Watson<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Alton Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Alton Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Penton to Alton Cemetery

Footnotes ...

<1>	The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.