Mel Pennington

Mel Pennington was born in Hartsville, South Carolina, a son of a funeral director and an educator.  Currently, he is a fourth generation funeral director and embalmer at Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home.

He was educated at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, SC, and received a Bachelor of Science in Retail Management from the University of South Carolina, and a Associate Degree in Funeral Science and Funeral Arts from Fayetteville Technical Community College.  He is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner.

Although his daily focus remains on the funeral industry, Mel has been a serial entrepreneur for the last ten years.  His most recent start-up (Pennington & Bailes) is a national apparel line of collegiate licensed products geared for higher end apparel.

In 2005, he was the youngest recipient for the honor of being named Businessman of the Year.

In 2006 he created Leadership Darlington County, the first ever leadership school that combined both Hartsville and Darlington Chambers of Commerce in an effort to train the leaders of tomorrow.

He serves as the Ambassador to the City of Hartsville where he serves as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. A member of several local boards and charitable organizations, his most important accomplishments include being a member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Past Master of the Hartsville Masonic Lodge, Past President of the Hartsville Kiwanis Club.

He is married to Kerri Byerly Woodham Pennington, and they have two children, McCanless (4), Mary Clare (1).