Mary Lou Pendergrass' Obituary
Mary Lucille was born to Mary Catherine Hines Struble and Laird Eaton Struble in Bristow, Oklahoma. An only child, she took care of her dolls and her mom, who died too young of a brain aneurism. Mary Lou made her way in the business world as a legal secretary with lightning fast fingers and a keen mind. Sharp as a tack, she kept John B. Pendergrass, Jr. on his toes from the beginning. They were married December 19, 1953. They raised two beautiful daughters, Mary Lynn, now a nurse, and Ellen Clare, now a pastor, whom Mom dressed alike for years in hand-made dresses. Mom had a quiet faith. She loved Jesus. A member at Lake Park—now Lake Highlands—Presbyterian Church, since 1965, she served also as secretary, and elder. Mary Lou worked part-time for years as a legal secretary for Atty. Jack Johannes, Judge Hassel, and Judge Guitard. She volunteered as secretary, treasurer, and Co-President (with JB) of the Lake Highlands Band Club, bookkeeper for Contemporary Artists and Sculptors Association, was active in the Metroplex Doll Club, kept Palm Springs Pool Service afloat for 30 years, operated multiple antique booths in McKinney and Plano, and won many awards in national doll shows. She had a heart for stray animals. Mom’s deep beauty was most evident in her quick wit, and her creativity—first by following patterns in dressmaking and embroidery, and later, unleashed in her wreath-making and oil painting: “True beauty is not symmetric!” She had an acute eye for intriguing antiques, and rare collectible dolls, once again her care receivers. Mary Lou had an iron will, that’s for sure, and if you were around for long, you knew it. Mom was survived by her husband of 64 years, JB, her daughters, Mary Terry and Ellen Dittman, her son-in-law, Tom Dittman, her grandchildren John and Becca Terry, Andrew (and Ashley) and Matthew (and Kelly) Dittman, her great-grandchildren Mason Salinas and John and James Dittman, and her German Shepherd, Lady. We love and miss you, Mom. Big Daddy finally has his bridge partner. Primarily, Mom is now whole. Amen Visitation is Friday, July 7, 6-8pm at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas. A Celebration of Life and Witness of the Resurrection will be Saturday, July 8, 10:30 am at Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church, 8525 Audelia Rd., Dallas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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