Penny Pendergrass Davis of Rutherfordton, North Carolina passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Penny was born on September 18, 1946 in Rutherford County to the late Thad and late Miriam Sane Pendergrass. Penny graduated from R-S Central High School in 1964. In 1968 she earned a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics from UNC-Greensboro and certification from Secondary and Adult Education. She received a Bachelors of Social Work from Westeren Carolina University in 1980. In 1968 Penny taught 8th grade at Old Fort for one year and then became employed with the Rutherford County Department of Social Services. She worked in every area of social services, assumed supervisory duties and was assistant director for fourteen years. She served as Director from June 1, 1994 to June 1, 2002. In her career she was an advocate for children and the underpriviliged. For many years she served as Secretary of the North Carolina Director's Association. Even after retirement she was always working to make something better for someone. Penny was a charter member of the Foothills Pilot Club of North Carolina, as well as past president, and held other offices on the local and state level. She served two 2 year terms on the state child care rules and policy comittee in Raleigh. She served as a director on various boards including Family Resources, PATH, Hospice and the State Employees Credit Union. She was instrumental in bringing the local branch of the Credit Union to Rutherford County. Penny was a life long member of the First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton. She taught the Professional Women's Sunday School Class for a number of years. For over twenty-five years she taught at Rest Well Assisted Living on Sunday mornings. Thru the years she served on various comittees for the church. Penny loved her Lord, her family, spending time with friends, her beloved animals, and Sunset Beach. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilige to know and love her. She was preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law Lee and Elizabeth Davis and sister-in-law Barbara Lanford. She is survived by her loving husband of fourty- eight years Hal Davis. Survivors also include sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws; Carolyn and Harold Vess, Bill and Elsie Robinson, Hubert and Jean Hardin, Kay Earley and Raymond Davis. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and life long best friend Martha Doggett. A celebration of life service will be held at 5:00 PM Saturday, July 9, 2016 at McMahan's Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Dean Baughn, Reverend Tim Marsh and Reverend Jackie Hampton officiating. The family will greet friends following the service at the funeral home. In leiu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County; P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043. An online guest register/tribute wall is available at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of arrangements.