Janet Pendergrass

Mary Janet Curtis Pendergrass died peacefully on Monday, January 27 in the company of family. She was born to Mary Irene Dunlap and Gilbert Martin Curtis in Chicago in 1934. Her family moved to Garrard County in 1946. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, William Estes Pendergrass, her brother Gilbert, and three sisters, Ailene Reed, Gail Curtis, and Carol Christopher.

She is survived by children Betty Pendergrass, Paul (Charlotte) Pendergrass, Mark Pendergrass, Jeannie (Ken) Abney, Tom West, and Rodney West; brother Bobby Curtis; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by all for her strength, generosity, caring nature, and loving heart.

Janet retired from the telephone company after 33 years of service. It was during that time she met Bill, her future husband. She turned him down when he first asked her on a date. But on Valentine’s Day in 1969 they were married, creating a family of eight with his four children and her two, all from previous marriages. One of Janet’s most endearing qualities was to embrace everyone as family. She never liked the terms step or half, kids were just kids; grandchildren were just grandchildren, no matter their circumstances of birth. 

Janet never minded sacrificing for her family. Everyone always woke to a hot breakfast and enjoyed a home cooked dinner, even while she was working full time. She and Bill made sure the family went on at least one vacation per year and each child had the opportunity for the education or training they needed to succeed in life. Besides her husband and family, her loves included growing irises, feeding hummingbirds, Vincent van Gogh paintings, babysitting grandchildren, UK Basketball, and camping with the Telephone Pioneers Camping Club.   

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 30, 2024, at Preston Pruitt Spurlin Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery. Visitation will be 11:00 AM until the time of service on Thursday.

Pallbearers are Chris Unseld, Jessica Pendergrass, Jill Abney, Doug Reed, Mike Curtis, and Michael Abney.

Memorial contributions are preferred to Heritage Hospice P.O. Box 1213 Danville, KY 40423.  

https://heritagehospice.com/Donate

Preston Pruitt Spurlin Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.