Our Good Friend, Carl Pennamon

A few years ago, I had the idea to write a short history of Carl Pennamon’s life for The Monticello News. I knew that he was the second longest serving county commissioner in Georgia which is an unbelievable feat in its self, but what made this man tick.

His story is one that would impress anyone. He told me of the people who had helped him along the way, mentors, family, church members. He stood on so many shoulders to help him reach his positions in life.

Carl took the challenge of many in his community to represent them, honestly, not an easy task. Coming from a poor black family in Jasper County, he now had the voice to rise to the highest position in the county to not only help his own constituents, but to fairly be our voice too.

He was a very smart man, knew that listening first and then responding, instead of being loud and making snap decisions without much thought, was not the way you do it. The word patience comes to mind.

His passion was for his family and we, the Jasper County family, were lucky enough to have him to represent us and be our friend.

Mere words cannot express how he will be missed.