Devona Pendergrass

1957 - 2021

Devona Pendergrass

Mountain Home - Devona J. Pendergrass of Mountain Home passed away on Sunday, May 2nd, 2021 at her home. She was born June 14th, 1957 in West Plains, Missouri to Mayford and Bernice Turner of Caulfield, Missouri, who preceded her in death. Devona married her high school sweetheart, Neal Pendergrass, in 1975.

Mrs. Pendergrass was a career educator and volunteer. An employee of Mountain Home Public Schools for 35 years, she held roles as Middle School Social Studies Teacher, Kindergarten Librarian, High School Librarian, and District Library Team Leader. She also served as The MHHS Bomber Bowling Coach for 7 years and a school bus driver for 15 years.

Devona was also an active member of the American Library Association (serving as Board Member at Large), the Arkansas Association of Instructional Media (serving in various executive roles), and the Arkansas Association of School Libraries (serving as President and Constitution Chair). She was a charter member of the Arkansas Rural Educators Association, a published source on the Dewey Decimal System, and a historian of Bakersfield, Missouri.

Mrs. Pendergrass is a 1979 Graduate of Southwest Missouri State University (BsE), a 1995 Graduate of the University of Central Arkansas (MA), and a national board-certified educator. She garnered numerous awards in her field, including Arkansas School Librarian of the Year, Hastings National Educator of the Year, American Library Association Library of the Year, Herb Lawrence Leadership Award, and the Pat McDonald Outstanding Individual Achievement Award.

Devona is survived by her husband, Neal, and their cherished children and granddaughter. Her son Turner, his wife Emily, and their daughter Alice; son Wesley, and his domestic companion Ashley Abel; all held special places in her heart. She is also survived by her younger brother John Turner, his wife Carla, their children Justin Turner, Kent Turner, Carlissa McGahan and their respective families; as well as her youth mentee Karissa Eaton, husband Brandon, and their children.

Visitation for Devona J. Pendergrass will be Friday, May 7th, 2021 from 1-2:00p.m. at Dunbar Auditorium, in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Bakersfield Cemetery in Bakersfield, Missouri. Arrangements are under the care of Roller Funeral Home. Please visit our on line guestbook at rollerfuneralhomes.com