Regina Burnette Pencola

Regina Burnette Pencola passed away at her home on March 10th 2023 after months of declining health. She was born in Norfolk, VA on November 29th 1932. She was the daughter of Hettie Byrum Stanley and Henry Clay Burnette.

Regina was a member of Christ Episcopal Church where, in her earlier years, she taught Sunday School, served on the Altar Guild and helped with bulletins. Regina was a past member of both the Junior and Senior Woman’s Club in Smithfield. She was employed by Home Telephone Company and was sent over to operate the switchboard when the company converted from three-digit phone numbers to five-digit numbers. After 10 years of service, she became a stay-at-home mom for several years. In 1964, she went to work for Silco Department Stores which later became Dollar General. She was the store manager for 25 years. In 1989, she retired and began doing volunteer work for the Smithfield Chamber of Commerce. She continued to volunteer with her dear friend, Connie Rhodes until they both retired from the Chamber after about 18 years. Regina was the co-owner and operator of Smithfield Music Instrument Repairs along with her husband Patrick Pencola.  They opened Smithfield’s first and only music store called Smithfield Music in 1961.There, they sold and repaired instruments until her beloved Patrick passed way in 2003. She continued to operate the business until 2019. Regina’s hobbies included listening to music, dancing and traveling.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pat Pencola; and her brother, Sonny Burnette. She is survived by her son, Patrick Andrew Pencola ( Bel); daughter, Annamaria Regina Pencola; her sister, Sherry Nooe of Ramseur, NC; and her brothers, John V. Stanley (Mary) of Smithfield, Ernest Eugene Stanley (Mary), of Emporia, VA and Jerry Stanley (Charlotte) of Smithfield; several nieces and nephews as well as her dear, wonderful friend Lee Andrew Jones (Clara) of Smithfield.

Services will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Smithfield VA on Tuesday, March 21st at 1PM. The family will receive friends in the parish hall immediately following the service. Interment will be at St. Luke’s cemetery following the reception.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Christ Episcopal Church Preservation Fund, 111 South Church Street, Smithfield, VA 23430.  Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.