CORNELIA, Ga. — Through his anger, he taught me awareness. Through his battles, he taught me braveness. Through his cries, he taught me compassion.
That is an excerpt from “Through It All,” a poem Troyce Simmons wrote in remembrance of his younger brother, Kendrick “Penny” Paul Simmons.
On Oct. 10, Pebble Ministry Inc., which Troyce founded, will present its annual Penny Paul Race for All 5K Run/Walk.
The event is named in memory of Kendrick, who died at age 43 following a long battle with alcohol addiction. Kendrick was the youngest of five children, while Troyce was a few years older. Although Kendrick went by Paul, his small frame earned him the nickname “Pencil.” Over time, that nickname evolved into “Penny Paul”—or simply “Penny.”
Troyce remembers his brother as a man who loved life, people, and laughter.
“If he met someone but could not remember the person’s name, he would make up a nickname to help him remember. There’s a guy he started calling ‘Bucket,’ and the name stuck,” Troyce said.
Being the center of attention and making people laugh were part of Penny’s personality.
“Penny was very sociable,” Troyce recalled. “He cracked jokes to make people smile. He didn’t want people to hurt.”
Through his laughter, he taught me love. Through his mistakes, he taught me mercy. Through his pain, he taught me peace.
Troyce spent his brother’s final days with him and said Penny accepted responsibility for the decisions he had made. Penny told him that one of the worst things people can do is tell themselves a lie, convince themselves it is the truth, and then attempt to persuade others to believe it.
The last time Troyce saw his brother, Penny’s organs were failing, and he was in extreme pain.
“It hurts so bad,” he recalled Penny telling him. “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
In those final moments, Troyce saw more than his brother’s pain; he saw a man who, despite his own suffering, did not want anyone else to experience the same agony.
On this journey we call life, it’s not when you die. It’s how you love while you live.
Race supports scholarships for local students
The Penny Paul 5K is Pebble Ministry’s largest annual fundraiser. The Habersham County nonprofit’s mission is to spread love and serve the community. One way it does that is by funding scholarships for graduating high school seniors in Banks, Habersham and White counties through the 5K.
“Last year, we were fortunate enough to give $2,500 among four students,” Troyce’s wife and Pebble Ministry Board Member Christina Simmons said.
As participation in the race increases, the organization hopes to provide scholarships to more students.
“We want people to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” Troyce said.
The race begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Shady Grove Baptist Church, which is located at 226 MLK Jr. Drive in Cornelia. In-person, virtual, and youth registration options are available. For more information or to register, visit the Penny Paul Race for All 5K website.
Through It All
Through his Anger he taught me Awareness
Through his Battles he taught me Braveness
Through his Cries he taught me Compassion
Through his Falls he taught me Feeling
Through his Giving he taught me Grace
Through his Hurt he taught me Humbleness
Through his Illness he taught me Encouragement
Through his Laughter he taught me Love
Through his Mistakes he taught me Mercy
Through his Pain he taught me Peace
Through his Shoes he taught me Simpleness
Through his Toughness he taught me Tenderness
Through his Words he taught me Wisdom
Through his Life he taught me how to Live
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