Laura Diane Pendergrass passed away in her own bed on July 7, 2024 in Fresno, California after a long illness.

Laura was born November 10, 1954 to Eleanor and Robert Jones on the 179th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, much to the delight of her 1st Lt. Marine father at the time of her birth.  She arrived at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Camp Lejeune, NC about 6:00 PM in the evening.  The doctor had to be called away from his dinner to deliver her, and he joked about his "poke" chop getting cold while he was busy at the hospital.

According to her mother she was always a gregarious child who had many friends. She was willing to work hard to achieve goals that were important to her and encouraged others to do the same.  She had been a cheerleader in High School, from which she graduated four months early, having completed all her coursework ahead of schedule.

She graduated from the University of Georgia at Athens in 1979 and later completed a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Fresno State.  She was led to work in Special Education for more then two decades with Fresno Unified School District. She was passionate about her classes and developed a bond with her students, often taking them on exciting field trips, advocating on their behalf and developing creative lesson plans that she felt would serve them beyond the classroom.

She always said that her greatest joy in life was being a mother to her children, who she loved fiercely with her whole heart.

She loved to tell stories and reminisce – often expanding on events and what she called "giving the truth scope."

She is survived by her three children: Candice Corey Pendergrass, her partner Michael Harrison; Robert Wesley Pendergrass, his wife Skye; Jared Lee Pendergrass, his wife Stefani and her beloved grandchildren Jadon James Pendergrass, Payton Isabel Pendergrass and Courtland Jones Pendergrass.  As well as her sister Linda Renee Lewis, brother Brian Duane Jones, niece Kryste Michelle Amanda Helen (Jones) Carlin, and nephew Kevin Richard Lewis.

She loved the Lord Jesus and knew that she would rest in His loving arms. She longed to be with Him and her family is so grateful that her wish has been fulfilled at long last.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Palm Street Sanctuary for Campus Bible Church located at 222 East Fountain Way, Fresno, CA 93704.

A reception and light lunch will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts, in Laura's honor, may be sent to Clovis Quality Home, 944 Chapel Hill Ave, Clovis, CA 93611.

Cards and condolences may be mailed to 5615 N. 4th Street, Fresno, CA 93710.

We close with a family poem which was composed by her father on the occasion of his mother's death:

Be not amazed
I am with God!
Forgive me for leaving you
With lonely days,
But my strength was gone
And I have come to my spiritual home.
Do not be of great sorrow;
Rather, be of good cheer
Knowing that here I have found peace
In the life of the everlasting.