Jay Pendergrass was
a member of the
Fluvanna Ruritan Club
Obituary from the The Daily Progress website:
James W. “Jay” Pendergrass, Jr., 90, of Fork Union, Va., passed away on January 30, 2017, following a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Hilda Plyler Pendergrass; and his son, Jeff Pendergrass. He is survived by his daughter, Jenni Pendergrass; daughter-in-law, Jane Pendergrass; granddaughters, Kate Pendergrass and her fiance, Mike Goad, and Kim Sheridan (David); and great granddaughter, Sadie Sheridan.
Born in Great Falls, South Carolina, he was the oldest son of J.W. Pendergrass and Ruth B. Pendergrass. He was a graduate of Furman University and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Jay began his professional career at Fork Union Military Academy following his college graduation in 1948. He was a teacher, and then Junior School Headmaster before becoming Academic Dean in the Upper School, a position he held for 23 years. He retired in 1990 after 42 years at FUMA and enjoyed serving in the community alongside his wife with Meals on Wheels, Fluvanna Christian Service Society, Fluvanna Historical Society and at Fork Union Baptist Church.
He and Hilda traveled extensively in retirement and explored an ever-widening range of interests sparked by their backgrounds in education. In addition to his immediate family, his memory will be cherished by his extended family and many friends who will remember his kindness, gentle spirit, and his beautiful bass voice in church & community chorus groups.
A visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Fork Union Baptist Church prior to the memorial service at 11 a.m. A reception will follow in the Fork Union Baptist Church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Fork Union Military Academy, in memory of J.W. Pendergrass to support scholarships, or to the charity of your choice. Sheridan Funeral Home of Kents Store Va. is in charge of the arrangements.