India Penland Mabe

India Penland Mabe died on August 3, 2025, at Trellis Supportive Care. She was born in Winston-Salem on October 27, 1931, to Ted McDowell Penland and Ella Lyons Penland, who died of tuberculosis when India was 3 years old. India was also preceded in death by her husband, Everett Mabe, her father, and her stepmother, Rachel Penland.

Affectionately called “Snooky” by her family, India considered the mountains of Western North Carolina to be her second home, and while growing up she spent many summers there with her cousins and always remained close to her extended family in Clyde, where her father was born and raised. She went from first to 12th grade at Old Town School. (Her beautiful smile and love of fashion crowned her “best looking” in high school.) India worked as a switchboard operator for McLean Trucking Co. and Pilot Freight Carriers, but she ended her career at Teamsters Local 391, where she was a receptionist and administrative assistant. India was known for her fierce independence and quick wit. She had a remarkable eye for interior design and enjoyed bringing a room to life. She cared for those around her, and people of all ages confided in India because of her honesty and thoughtfulness. She was a life-long member of Maple Springs United Methodist Church. India will be remembered for all these things but especially for the love she provided as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her daughters, Glenda Jordan Talley (Rodney), Amy Jordan Otterbourg (Ken), and Penny Jordan Pilley (Davey); her grandchildren, Lillian Kincaid (Randi), Jordan Kincaid (Carlye), Michael Kincaid (Jonah), Rosemary Thompson (Jake); and her great-grandchildren, Yates, Clark, and Carter.

India’s family would like to thank the staff of the Cardiac ICU Unit at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Vienna Village and Trellis Supportive Care for their kindness and compassion.

A memorial service led by Rev. Gary Mahathey of Maple Springs United Methodist Church will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel, with a visitation at 1:30 p.m.