Bertha Pendergrass

Mrs. Bertha M.  Pendergrass, the daughter of the late Mr. Rubin McKenzie and Onita Fleming-McKenzie was born in Clarendon County, SC on May 22, 1941.  She departed this life on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

She was educated in the public schools of Clarendon County.

She accepted Christ as her personal savior and became a devoted and faithful member of Howard Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she served as a member of the Gospel Choir, Women Missionary Society, and Lay Department.  After moving to North Carolina, she became an active member of House of Glory Ministry Church in Thomasville.

She enjoyed singing, shopping, cooking delicious homemade southern dishes, and playing softball.  She was very devoted to her children, grandchildren, family, and friends with whom she cultivated a lifelong relationship. She was truly a prayer warrior with a strong faith as her anchor.

Bertha was preceded in death by her loving parents, Rubin McKenzie and Onita Fleming-McKenzie; beloved sister, Ruby Mae Hayward; brothers, John D. McKenzie and Willie Nathan McKenzie.

Her legacy of love will forever be cherished by her five children,  Harry Lee Pendergrass of Thomasville, NC, Patricia Pleasant (Mike) of Thomasville, NC, Gardenia Keels of High Point, NC; Ernest (Chauna ) Keels of Beaumont, CA; Dennis (Iesha ) Keels of Thomasville, NC; one sister, Mary Jane (Willie Gamble, Jr) of Kingstree, SC; seven brothers, Olin (Annie Lue) McKenzie of Thomasville, NC; Lavelle McKenzie of Columbia, SC; Roy McKenzie of Kingstree, SC; James Brown, Willie (Loreece) Brown, Jerry Brown, Leo (Mable) Brown, Jasper Brown all of Baltimore, MD; eleven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other family members and friends.