Penelope K. Macumber

Penelope "Penny" Katherine (Porter) Macumber, age 72, of Junction City, Kansas passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026.

Penny is survived by her husband Harold D. Macumber of Junction City, Kansas; daughter Virginia "Gigi" Catherine (Ben) Holman, and son, Thomas Harold (Sarah) Macumber.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Marjorie Catherine Porter and Francis Arthur Porter, and her grandparents Noah and Zora Smith of Arkadelphia, Arkansas and George and Lilian Porter of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Penny was born September 28, 1953, in Washington D.C. to Francis Arthur and Marjorie Catherine (Smith) Porter. In 1966 she and her mother moved to Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1971 and began college at Henderson State University, graduating in 1975. While in college she was a member of the Reddie Ripples, synchronized swimming team. She was also President of the Student Activity Board and editor of the Henderson Oracle (College News Paper) where they won numerous awards. While in college she met the love of her life, on August 22, 1975, she married Harold Macumber. Penny attended the Episcopal Cathedral in Washington, D.C. until her and Harold got married and they joined the Methodist Church.

Penny was a Girl Scout from the age of eight. She was a camp counselor for five years at Camp High Point Scout camp in Mena, Arkansas. She was a cub leader for Pack 64 Cub Scouts and taught Merit Badge classes for five years at Camp Hanson Boy Scout Ranch. She spent three years as Chairman of the Geary County Fair Board. Penny and Harold were Directors for the State of Kansas Our Diamond Miss Pageants for girls ages 0 through 21, for 30 years. She was a member of Junction City Pilot Club, KAPPA, KAPPA IOTA, and the Teachers organization. Penny started her teaching career as the CCC Lab Coordinator at Ware Elementary until she renewed her teaching certificate in Kansas. She started teaching high school English and Journalism at St. Xavier High School for five years then moved to USD 475 where she taught English and Journalism. During this time, she trained ten student teachers. After retirement from USD 475, she taught Literacy for Elementary Teachers (Block C students) at Kansas State University for the next four years.

Visitation will be at Johnson & Mass-Hinitt Funeral Home Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. A Celebration of Life will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, March 20, 2026 at the First United Methodist Church, located at 804 N Jefferson St, Junction City, KS 66441. A private burial will take place at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery in Manhattan at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Junction City Association of Retired School Personnel (JCARSP) Scholarship Fund c/o Sierra Jackson, 3806 Rucker Rd, Junction City, KS 66441 or the First United Methodist Church of Junction City.

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