Kathleen Pendley

Kathleen Foster Pendley, age 94 of Dalton, GA, formerly of Smyrna, GA departed this earthly realm at her residence in The Gardens at Royal Oaks on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.
Kathleen was a loving Mother and Grandmother and a friend to all the residents of Royal Oaks where she had lived for the last 10 years. She was born on November 23, 1924, in Canton, GA to Ransom and Veola Foster who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her four brothers, Bill Foster, Rev. John Foster, Rev. Guy "Pete" Foster, and Grady "Woods" Foster. Eston Pendley, her husband of 67 years, passed away 2 ½ years prior to Kathleen. Those remaining to cherish her memory are daughters and son-in-law Joy and Randy Sanford of Dalton, GA, Tammie Pendley of Ellijay, GA, grandchildren Russell and Jessie Sanford of Greenville, SC and Justin and Rachel Sanford of Charleston, SC. Also Sisters-in-law Vessie Rampley of Ballground, Polly Pendley and Lydell Pendley both of Woodstock. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, special caregiver Stella Pratt and numerous friends and extended family.
Kathleen was the last surviving family member of her generation that grew up during the great depression. Like most, she began working as soon as she was old enough beginning at the Canton Cotton Mill and later at The Loveable Company in Atlanta. She met Eston Pendley and began a relationship that would last for well over half a century. Kathleen and Eston were married on Christmas Eve, 1949 and after remaining in their native Cherokee county for a few years moved to the Atlanta area where they would live, worship, and raise a family over the next 6 decades. In 1956, with the birth of their first daughter Joy, Kathleen became a stay at home mom and in 1959 a second daughter, Tammie, joined the family. In 1962 Eston started his own surveying company and for the next 43 years, Kathleen would be an integral part of this enterprise as she handled payroll and administrative duties while continuing to focus on raising their daughters and maintaining their home. Piano and dancing lessons, Sunday School and church camp, shopping trips to Rich's with rides on the Pink Pig and lunch at the Magnolia Room, and family vacations to the beach and mountains, Kathleen made sure her daughters experienced life to its fullest. However, it wasn't just her immediate family that felt her loving and nurturing spirit as she made sure the Pendley family home was a welcoming spot for family, church and community gatherings. Kathleen was known as a spectacular cook with holidays, birthdays, special occasions always having a table of meats, vegetables, and desserts that made all there eat more than they really should. In addition, Kathleen's skill of preserving the various items from local growers and especially those that Eston found and gathered was widely known. Whether it be canned beans, pear preserves, or most everyone's favorite - her blackberry jam, opening a can from her pantry brought a smile to your face and a smack from your lips.
In 1974, Eston and Kathleen moved to Smyrna, GA where they built their dream house. It was here that she would see her daughters go to college, get married, and bring grandchildren to learn the joys of being part of her family. Kathleen's faith was a vital part of her life and family and the move to Smyrna kept her close to her church family at Floyd Road Baptist in Austell. Eston and Kathleen were very active in every aspect of the church with friendships made there that lasted until her last days. It was also in Smyrna that Kathleen became an active member of the Bennett Woods Garden Club. Her lifelong love of flowers, gardening, and entertaining was all brought together with this group of ladies as she looked forward to the monthly meetings in their homes and in hers. With the birth of her first grandchild, Russell, in 1982, followed by a second, Justin, in 1986, the house in Smyrna became a focus of joy and love especially during Christmas. Kathleen loved to decorate and made sure that that passion was passed on. She also loved vacations and made sure the entire family experienced travel including cruises and trips both inside and outside the U.S. but especially Disney World began a similar love that lasts in here grandchildren to this day.
A celebration of Kathleen's life will be held 2pm, Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Floyd Road Baptist Church in Austell with Rev. Keith Collins and Rev. Preston Moore officiating. She will lie in state at the church from 1pm until the funeral hour. Burial will follow at Cherokee Memorial Park in Canton, GA. The family will receive friends Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 10am until 12noon at West Cobb Funeral Home, 2480 Macland Rd. Marietta, GA 30064. An online guestbook is available at www.westcobbfuneralhome.com .