RALEIGH

Nan Jones (Nannie Lou Pendergraft Jones) passed away peacefully in the early morning of August 4 th , 2021.  As a Raleigh native, Nan was proud to call Raleigh her home and devoted her life to volunteering and giving to others in her community and to her family.  Nan was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Bobby Keith Jones, seven sisters, one brother, and her parents, Leonora White Pendergraft and Estus Pendergraft, all of Raleigh.  Being the youngest child in a large family, Nan continued to surround herself with family and friends throughout her life, selflessly giving to others through her church work, community service, and her devotion to her three children, seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Celebrating her life are her three children and their families:  Son, Gary Jones and wife, Kim Jones of Fayetteville, grandchildren Bobby Jones, Taylor Jones, Rebekah Jones, Ryann McKay and husband, TJ McKay, and great granddaughter, Anneleigh McKay, all of Fayeteville.  Daughter, Kathy Potter and husband, Dennis Thompson of Raleigh, grandsons Curtis Potter of Plymouth, NC and Kyle Potter and wife Margaret Potter, great grandchildren Emma and Jesse Potter, all of Raleigh.  Daughter, Cynthia Jones and grandson Elijah Jones, both of Cary.

Nan's lifelong service to others included her many years of membership at Leesville Baptist Church where she was a member of the choir and served as the choir director, youth group leader, and vacation bible school director.  She volunteered at Wake Medical Hospital for over 22 years and was proud to be appointed to the board of directors during that time.  She was an active participant with Wake County Hospice and the Salvation Army, always responding to meet the needs of others.  Becoming a licensed cosmetologist in her thirties, Nan provided a much needed service through volunteering her time and talents to the residents of Mayview Nursing Home to help them look and feel their best while coping with their personal health challenges.

While raising her family, she shared her joy of celebrating life – both the special occasions as well as the simple everyday moments that make the difference in how we value each other and find joy in the little things.  She was an accomplished cake baker and decorator, winning local and regional Pillsbury bake-off competitions while instilling the joy of eating cake.  She was a strong advocate that most of life's experiences, both joyous and challenging, could be made better with something home baked.

Nan enjoyed spending time at Lake Waccamaw with her family and it was there she developed her talent for sharing her experiences with others through writing.  She submitted editorial articles to the local newspaper, sharing her perspective of finding joy in the moment of the little things in life.  Never knowing a stranger, Nan befriended a local biker club while writing about their love of motorcycling to enjoy the scenic aspects of their travels.  She developed many friendships those summers as she experienced new perspectives in celebrating the important little moments in life.  She also attended a lot of biker pot-lucks, always with a perfect cake in hand!

Later in life, Nan enjoyed participating in many activities at the Cary Senior Center and was particularly active in supporting the military through their "We Care" Package program for the Troops.  She made many lasting friendships with the staff and seniors she worked with and continued her personal commitment to volunteering by providing transportation and companionship for personal errands and medical appointments to many individuals who did not have transportation resources.

Over the course of her life, Nan was just as dedicated to her own family, acting as a caregiver for her Mother, Husband, and Husband's Parents, providing them with comfort, love, and dignity in supporting them through the last days of their own life's journeys as they passed from this life as we know it.  Her faith in God's word and spreading His love has comforted many.

It is with great sadness we, her family, experience the loss of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, but it is with Great Joy we celebrate all that she was and all that she is to us and our world.  Given the current climate of necessary health precautions, our family has chosen to hold a private graveside service on Saturday afternoon on August 7 th , 2021.  In the spirit of Nan's joy of celebrations, we are planning a proper memorial tribute in the near future at Abide Christian Fellowship in Cary with appropriate hugs, laughter, food, fellowship, and plenty of cake!  We are looking forward to celebrating Nan's life with all of her family and friends at that time.

As an alternative to flowers, contributions in Nan's name can be made to one of these local organizations where Nan found meaning through service and fellowship with others:

• The Salvation Army
  PO. Box 27584
  Raleigh, NC  27611
  
  
• Transitions Life Care (formerly Hospice of Wake County
  250 Hospice Circle
  Raleigh, NC  27607
  
  
• Abide Christian Fellowship
  PO. Box 4522
  Cary, NC  27519-4522

Arrangements under the direction of Montlawn Funeral Home and Cremations.