Dr. Louis Christopher Pendleton

A beautiful life came to an end on January 14, 2007. Dr. Louis Christopher PendletonSHREVEPORT, LA - Dr. Louis Christopher Pendleton was born on October 13, 1931, in Monroe, Louisiana to Velda Leola Long Pendleton and Joseph Anthony Pendleton, Sr. He was educated in the public schools of Monroe, Louisiana. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Pendleton entered Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.

Because of his outstanding academic preparation, he entered the United States Air Force with the rank of Captain in November, 1956 and served for six years. After resigning his commission as dental officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he and his wife Barbara Chocolate, a Shreveport native, settled here and established his dental practice of 47 years. They enjoyed 52 years of marriage. This union produced two wonderful children, Karen and Scott.

Dr. Pendleton has given himself in virtually every area of our community's quality of life, education, civil rights, health, business, culture and housing. His civic work has significantly widened opportunities for African-Americans in Northwest Louisiana.

Dr. Pendleton was founder of the Ark-La-Tex Communications committee which opened up employment to African-Americans in the broadcast industry. With strong opposition to the creation of the Community Action Agency in Caddo parish, working with leaders like The Honorable Alphonse Jackson, the late Dr. Jesse Stone and others, he accepted the Presidency of the agency's first Board of Directors.

Through lawsuits in the early 1970's, he co-chaired the committee that fought and gained representation for African-American residents on the Caddo Parish School Board and Police Jury - now the Caddo Parish Commission. He along with the late Attorney Hilary Huckaby, III, was a leading organizer of Blacks United for Lasting Leadership (BULL). This group filed a lawsuit that did away with the old commission form of government, which did not allow for African-American participation. This lawsuit led to the strong Mayor - Council form of government that we enjoy today. Dr. Pendleton was appointed by the late President Lyndon B. Johnson to the Louisiana State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. He served on the committee for more than 10 years. Dr. Pendleton was a prominent supporter of the local NAACP and the organizer of the Youth Council.

Dr. Pendleton is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. In 1988 he received the Liberty Bell award by the Shreveport Bar Association. He is the recipient of the Business Leader of the Year award presented by the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce in February 1990. In 1991 he and his wife, Barbara, received the Brotherhood, Sisterhood Humanitarian award presented by the National Conference of Christians and Jews (now: National Conference for Community and Justice). The same year he was inducted into the Junior Achievement of North Louisiana Business Hall of Fame.

Dr. Pendleton's affiliations include past and present: Pelican State Dental Association, Northwest Louisiana Dental Society (a subset of the Pelican State Dental Association), National Dental Association and American Dental Association; Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors; Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana (member and treasurer of the Board of Directors); Shreveport Housing Authority; Loyola Foundation of Shreveport; The Community Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier; LSU-Shreveport Foundation Board of Directors; Volunteers of America Board of Directors; Louisiana State Fair Board of Directors; Louisiana State Tourism Commission; Chairman - Permanent Review Board under the Diocese of Shreveport (chartered for the protection of children and young people); Finance Council of the Diocese of Shreveport and the St. John's College Corporation. Dr. Pendleton was a member of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, where he served in many capacities. He is a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Dr. Pendleton was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Joseph Edward Pendleton, Jr., his in-laws Gennie V. Chocolate, Leroy Chocolate and sister-in-law Maurice Chocolate Smith. He leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife, Barbara, daughter and her friend, Dr. Karen M'Liss Pendleton and Dr. John J. Ward, son Dr. Scott Edward Pendleton and wife Mona of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren Jackson Connor Pendleton and Meredith Anne Pendleton and their mother Dr. Judith Blake Pendleton of Phoenix, Arizona; nephew Dr. Rodney L. Pendleton and wife Kim and Christopher Pendleton and wife Anita of Stone Mountain, Georgia and their mother Bernadine Kedgler of Monroe, Louisiana, a God-given sister Harriet Scott and her husband New York State Supreme Court Justice Clifford Scott of New York, New York; niece Dr. Jamiere Y. Smith and daughter Michiah Jamiere Gills of Chicago, Illinois and niece Robin Smith Williams and husband Dr. Aubrey C. Williams, Jr. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, aunts Ruby Rayson Robinson, Ollie Rayson Collins and uncle Frank R. Rayson. He and his wife nurtured the following young ladies - Laura Russell, Cassandra Jackson and Jacquita Moore.

Many thanks and love to friends Dr. Joseph and Maxine Sarpy and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Sylvia, whose friendship over 4 ½ decades has been a source of strength and joy. Special thanks to the physicians and the entire medical staff of Christus Schumpert Medical Center and The Promise Specialty Hospital. And finally the family expresses deep appreciation for the care given our father from the following ladies - Bessie Casey, Sheila Davenport, Gloria Anderson and Linda LaFall.

At Dr. Louis C. Pendleton's request and in his memory the dental office located at 1514 Gary Street in the heart of Lakeside-Allendale will remain open under Dr. David Reed, who was forced to relocate to Shreveport from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

In the memory of Dr. Louis C. Pendleton, a foundation will be established at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank for aspiring science students. Contact person: Mrs. Teri Watson. Also, memorials can be made to the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, the Virginia K. Shehee Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana and the Community Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier.

All services for Dr. Pendleton will take place at the Cathedral of St. John Berchman including: public viewing Friday January 19, 2007 from 2:00-6:00 p.m followed by a vigil service at 6:00 pm. and funeral services Saturday, January 20, 2007 will be at 10:00 a.m.

Active pallbearers will be Mr. Jerry Nelson, Mr. Major L. Brock, Jr., Dr. David Reed, Mr. Frederick Johnson, Mr. Shaan Fields, Mr. Wendell Thigpen, Mr. Fred Ogunyemi, Mr. Ronald Washington, Mr. Donald Washington, Mr. Lynn Braggs, Mr. Ralph Wilsonm Mr. John Brian Seymour.

Honorary pallbearers will be Members of the Pelican State Dental Association, Brothers of Delta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Connecting Links, Shreveport Chapter of The LINKS, Inc., Dr. Joseph Sarpy, Jr., Dr. Jean C. Brierre, Mr. Leonard Collins, Jr., Mr. Lawrence Rayson Patton, Mr. Orlando Rayson, Jr., Dr. Thomas N. Robinson, Jr., Mr. Michael Rayson Walker, Dr. Denzer Burke, Dr. Alvin W. Walker, Mr. Agyei Gyasi, Mr. Chionesu Chinouyazue, Mr. Elmo Frazier, Mr. Joseph Salpietra, Dr. Thomas N. Robinson, III, Mr. Mi