His death was written about in a letter to Milton Cooper Snyder and Marie Pritchard Snyder, Feb the 6th, 1940 [a copy of which I have in my possession -- Craig Cooper Snyder]

Harman News [The Parsons Advocate, Feb. 8, 1940--page 3]
Layton Pennington dies in Harrisburg Hospital
Layton Pennington, son of Henry C. and Virginia Pennington of near Harman died Sunday evening in the Memorial Hospital in Harrisburg, VA. He had been in ill health since November when he was forced to miss a week at Davis and Elkins where he was a student. He returned to school again until the December holidays. Since that time he has been unable to attend school and on last Monday was taken to the hospital. His parents received a telephone message Sunday advising his condition was critical, another message Sunday advising some of his relatives to come to the hospital, and a third on Sunday evening said he was dead.
Layton was on of a large family. He graduated with honors at the Davis High School in 1937, and was awarded a $90.00 scholarship in Davis & Elkins College. He was unable to attend D & E in the fall of 1937, but in 1938 he attended the full year at college making good grades, and this year was hoping to obtain his standard normal certificate and enter the field of teaching.
Since graduating from high school he had worked on WPA labor projects. It is with deep regret that his many friends learn of his death, knowing of his desire and ambition to advance and the handicaps that confronted him. Although he had complications of ailments. It is understood that Bright's disease was the cause of his death.
Russell Long, son of C. C. Long undertaker in Harman started to Harrisburg after the body Sunday night.
Layton is survived by his parents; three brothers and one sister: John of Oregon; Edward of Slaty Fork; Joshua of Harman, and Mrs. Conley Turner of Harman

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