Dennis "Cotton" Penland, 68 of Upper Bell Creek Rd. Hiawassee, GA died at home October 5, 2014 after a valiant fight with cancer. Cotton was the son of the late JD Penland and Hazel Hunter. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 48 years Wylene Forrest Penland; daughter, Charlene Penland; son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Angie Berrong Penland; 2 best buddies/grandsons, Adam and Lane Penland, all of Hiawassee. Four closely knit brothers and their wives: Gene and Joyce Penland, David and Anna Dean Penland, Dale and Mirle Penland, and Dwight Penland all of Hiawassee. A number of nieces, nephews and numerous friends also survive. Cotton and his brother Dale were partners in Penland Brothers Construction Company for 41 years. Cotton was a devoted husband, dad and papaw. He was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church in Hayesville, NC. He had a big heart and will be sorely missed by his family, the Towns County Community and his church family.

Funeral Services were held at 11:00 am, Tuesday October 8, 2014 at Banister Funeral Home with Pastor's Brent Penland and Mark Shook officiating. Pallbearers were Brain and Jarrod Penland, Rodney Underwood, Kemmy Garrett, Heath Kimsey and Larry Hedden. Honorary Pallbears were J. C. Berrong, Cub Garrett, Jimmy Anderson, and Ray Brown.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donation be made to church building funds of Mountain Grace Baptist Church in Young Harris, GA c/o Jackie Kimsey 1935 Circke S Dr, Young Harris, GA 30582; Pine Grove Baptist Church of Hayesville, NC c/o Alwayne Brown 6101 Town Creek School Rd. Blairsville, GA 30512; or North Mountain Zion Church of God c/o Kim Farmer P O Box 62 Hiawassee, GA, or to the Cemetery fund of Phialdelphia Baptist Church in Hayesville, NC c/o of Fred Hogsed 2496 Clovis Rd. Hiawassee, GA 30546