Ms. Penny Gail Kemp Tavares, 78, of Dyersburg, passed away Friday, February 20, 2026 at the West Tennessee Healthcare-Dyersburg Hospital.

She was born on May 24, 1947 in Ridgely, TN to the late Raymond and Juanita Kemp. Penny Gail was a bookkeeper by profession, working with several local businesses. She loved to play the piano and was an avid reader. She and her husband, Paul lived overseas at times and loved to travel, especially to warmer destinations. She was a devoted and loving grandmother to her family.

Penny Gail is survived by her two sons, Tony Pruitt and wife, Sandra, and John Tavares and wife, Mary; her three daughters, Kathy Kiecker, Becky Chapman and husband, Mark, and Nicky Tavares; and her two sisters, Frieda Brown and Melissa Jacobs and husband, Danny. She was greatly loved as "Grandma Penny or MaGa Penny by her seven grandchildren; Angela, Sierra, Jaime, Mariah, Makayla, Merick and Sophia; her nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Paul Tavares and brother Freddie Jr. Tippitt

Cremation services are in care of Dyersburg Funeral Home.

Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 2-4 p.m. at Dyersburg Funeral Home.