I would like to write a tribute to (Penny) Henrietta Cannon. Oh What a beautiful and happy life we had. Penny was my secretary at Villa-Town Press 1312 East Cary Street Richmond Virginia in 1971 until 1975. I had purchased a counterfeit printing  shop from the Secret service "Browns Business Forms" which I renamed “Villa-Town Press”. We were both young I was 18 and Penny was 22, and we began experiencing a man's business world in the printing trade. Penny was my right hand person helping me become an established Print Shop run by women. Penny always had my back with proofing and spelling. I had problems in this area,  but Penny always made sure nothing went out that was not correct.

Because of my young  age I had little experience  socializing and building clientele for the business.  I knew Penny would be there to help me in this area also, and she was. She was telling me about a dinner, with her husband, where they had ordered “chateaubriand” for the dinner the night before.

I had no idea what that was. I had been raised by Sisters at St Joseph Villa and I was an orphan with little social experience.

Jim Bridgman "CEO of the Lemon Tree Hotels ", for whose business, we did the printing, called and invited me to dinner and was bringing Villa-Town some orders. I agreed to meet  him and his assistant for dinner at the Hyatt House Hotel in Richmond. Being the gentleman he was, he asked me to choose the wine, I proudly asked the wine steward  for chateaubriand. Never did Jim or anyone say anything. I thought I had done quite well.  It wasn't until the next day at work I was telling Penny of my date with Jim and I had ordered chateaubriand and the fish with fantastic dressing. This is when Penny tells me chateaubriand is Steak for two, not a wine!!!!! Well this is how our working relationship went. She was always there helping me through the trials of living and my lack of experience and yet unlearned common sense.  We made it through until I sold the Printing Company to join the Army.

Voice America came to do an interview about a woman running a successful business in a mans trade. After the interview I was thinking about my voice traveling to other countries and I how I could forever be stuck in my printing business. I called all the military services and the Army gave me an option to join under The Stripes For Skills program. I entered as an E5 and then could apply to be Printing Warrant Officer. Penny was quite upset and wanted to make a change in her life. She wanted to be a Lawyer. I left for the Army as she went to Law school and Graduated as a Lawyer. When I returned 5 years later She became my Lawyer.  Closing on a newly built house in Richmond, Filling for my divorce, and handling any legal issues I had.  We had many wonderful years together. May you rest in peace and explore this new beginning.  I will be along later.  I will never forget our time on earth together and apart.