ROCKY FORD-Shirley Rose Abbott Pendergrass passed away peacefully on August 30, 2021 and went home to be with the Lord. She was born on December 23, 1930, in Warren County but resided in Franklin County. She was the widow of Wesley W. Pendergrass, daughter of the late George W. Abbott Sr. and Beadie Ayscue Abbott Pendergrass, stepdad, Solon Pendergrass. She was preceded in death by her grandchildren, Pamela Pendergrass & Larry Pendergrass, Jr.; brother, George Abbott, Jr; sisters Mildred Berryman, Ruby Harris; and brothers-in-law, James Harris and Richard Berryman.
She was the heart of her family and will be dearly missed by her loving family; son, Wayne (Margie) Pendergrass, Bobbitt; daughter, Deborah (Robert) Rowland, Cullowhee; grandchildren, Kim (Kevin) Franklin, Rocky Ford; Courtney Hays Houston, Cullowhee; Scott A. (Miriam) Hays, Ellicott City, MD; great-grandchildren: Alicia Hays-Taylor & Lilliana Hays, Cullowhee; Hailey Hays & Payton Hays, Ellicott City, MD; sister, Paulette (Marion) Arrington, Henderson; brother, Billy N. (Adela) Pendergrass, Sugar Land, TX; sister-in-law, Mildred Abbott, Norlina; nieces & nephews; special caregivers & devoted cat, Sammie.
She was born into a family of farmers, continued tobacco farming, and managing the operations of the farms throughout her adult life, worked at Sears. She served on the Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation, Franklin County Farm Bureau boards for over 25 years. She served on the Farm Bureau State Board for approximately eight years.
She was a very independent self-educated businesswoman that loved life and stayed busy working in her yard tending to her flowers, cooking, and caring for her family. In her earlier years, she milked cows, churned butter, helped with livestock, and made homemade lye soap. She was a gifted artist, and she enjoyed her crafts such as painting, quilting, sewing, ceramics, wood working, flower arranging, reading books especially her daily Bible readings, and spending time with her family. In her earlier years, her passion to travel took her to all 50 states as well as Germany, France, England, Mexico, Turkey, Egypt, India, Jerusalem, Italy, Russia and China. She made lifetime friends throughout her travels.
She was a strong, dedicated Christian woman of faith, a member of Perry's Chapel Baptist Church faithfully attending until her declining health. For fifty years, she was a member of Liberty Christian Church, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and served as a deacon.
Mrs. Pendergrass will be laid to rest at a graveside service at Liberty Christian Church, 7818 NC Hwy 39 South, Epsom, NC 27537, on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. byRev. James Quinn. The family will receive friends immediately after the graveside service.
Those who wish to view Mrs. Pendergrass may do so on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at J. M. White Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers to honor her memory, memorials can be made to Perry's Chapel Baptist Church, 894 Perry's Chapel Church Road, Franklinton, NC 27525.
Due to increasing COVID-19, the family has requested no house plants or food. Everyone is asked to observe COVID-19 guidelines by maintaining appropriate face covering and social distancing.
The care of Mrs. Pendergrass has been entrusted to J. M. White Funeral Home, Henderson, NC. You may review an online memorial at http://www.jmwhitefuneralhome.com/obituaries.asp.
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