Mrs. Lois Gist Pendergrass,  "Penny," 94, on the morning of Wednesday, September 11, 2019, finished her course after fighting a good fight.

Penny was born on August 18, 1925 in Chester, SC to the late Fred and Florence Macon Gist.  She gave her life to Christ and was baptized at an early age at the Black Rock Baptist Church in Chester, SC.

She was married to the late Rev. Dr. Preston Pendergrass, Sr. and they were blessed with four children.  She was educated in the public schools of Chester, SC, later attending Friendship Jr. College and Johnson C. Smith University.  Lois Gist Pendergrass was an active member at Calvary Baptist and Mt. Moriah Baptist Churches where  she was First Lady and former First Lady at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

Some of her achievements and accomplishments included her dedication and service with youth during her memberships at Calvary Baptist Church in Chester, SC; Upper Hope Station Baptist Church in Fairfield County, SC and Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Belmont, NC.  She provided leadership as a Den Mother for the Calvary Baptist Church Cub Scout Program in Chester, SC.

In the community, Lois Gist Pendergrass assisted in the organization and supervision of the community Teenage Canteen Program for youth.  She continued her Christian journey at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member for over 40 years.  She was a past Leader and Advisor to the Youth Missionary Department at Antioch. She was a past Vacation Bible School teacher for the youth and she was active with the Baptist and International Minister's Wives Association.  Mrs. Pendergrass was a past president of the Minister's Wives of Lanes Creek Association.  She remained involved with the Missionary Circle and the Seniors on the Move Ministry at Antioch until she became ill.  Over the years of her life, she maintained her hobbies and interests with reading, writing and arts & craft.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Preston Pendergrass, Sr.  She leaves wonderful cherished memories for her four children, Preston Pendergrass, Jr. and his wife, Ann; Felton A. Pendergrass and his wife, Mamie; Connie P. Williams and her husband, Jerry and Donna P. Sanford.  She also leaves 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.