Penny Jane Johnson, 61, from Sugar Grove, NC and previously from Cold Brook and Forestport, NY passed away gracefully in the comfort of her home on 01/04/2024 after an extended illness.

Penny was the first baby born on July 4th, 1962, in Herkimer County, NY, to Vernon and Helen Johnson.

Penny was liked and loved by many and her warm heart and love for nature made her an overall down-to-earth sweetheart of a gal. Penny had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh at the silly remarks she came up with at any given time in any situation.

Penny grew up in a small home with her family of nine, on Bull Hill Road in the hamlet of Grey, NY. She enjoyed the country life and spent much of her time playing in the water at the Grey Reservoir, exploring the woods, fishing, hanging out with friends or enjoying the company of her large and loving family. Much of her early teen years were spent at The State House with her sister Cindy and husband in the pristine waters of North Lake, which resides in the Hamlet of Atwell, outside Forestport, NY. This is also where she met her second husband Scott and spent lots of time there enjoying the water and camping.

Penny married Barry M. Moran in 1981 and had her first son Jesse James in 1983. She divorced in 1985, and remarried Burton (Scott) Sperry in 1987 and had her other two sons, Burton Charles, and Cody Scott in 1988 and 1991. She then divorced again in 2000 and lived happily ever after.

Penny attended Poland Central School from K-12 and graduated in 1980. In 2010, at the age of 48, she attended Caldwell Community College in Boone, NC, and graduated in 2013 with an associate degree in Art. In 2014, she went on to attend Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, and received a bachelor's degree in Sociology Gerontology in 2015 at the age of 53. She enjoyed her college life and learned a lot about a lot of things that she didn't have a chance to learn when she was younger. She was also the first child to graduate from a college or University in her entire family. She was proud of herself that she could obtain this feat in her middle age when so many others would have called it quits a long time ago.

Penny is survived by her mother, Helen Johnson/King, Boonville, NY, and her two sisters, Noreen Ann and husband George Morgan from Baltimore, MD, Pamela Jean and husband David Fairbank and son Jimmy from Kalispell, MT, her loving brother Dana Lynn Johnson from Bull Hill Road, Cold Brook, NY, and her stepsister Dawn King of Cold Brook, NY, and Scott King of Croghan, NY.

Penny is also survived by her three very awesome and exceptional sons who were her pride and joy and whom she loved more than life itself. They are Jesse James Sperry and soul mate Skylar from Denver, CO., Burton Charles Sperry and wife Mindy Rose from Boonville, NY, and Cody Scott Sperry and soul mate Heather Gydesen from Forestport, NY.

Penny was also very grateful and cherished her six beautiful and loving grandchildren, Gracie Rose, Allie Caroline, Wesley Charles, Aiden Michael, Audrey Marie, and Wyatt Scott Sperry.

Penny also cherished her many super sweet and loving nieces and nephews, and her closest and dearest friends George Turck and Meredith Golden who were there for her anytime she needed support, comfort, a good laugh, or a big hug.

Penny is preceded in death by her father Vernon James Johnson of Cold Brook, NY, her sister Cynthia Lee Johnson, Forestport, NY, her brother (Jim) James Vernon Johnson, Cold Brook, NY, her sister Joan Marie Maine from Greer, SC and her Stepfather James Francis King of Boonville, NY.

Penny will be greatly missed, and in her honor, we will gather in remembrance with family and friends, on her birthday, the 4th of July following her death. She came in with a "Bang" and will go out with a "Bang!" just as she would have wanted it.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.