Jessie Harvey Pendleton

Jessie Harvey Pendleton, of Richmond, Virginia completed her earthly journey on September 19, 2021. She was the widow of William Campbell Pendleton, Sr. Born to the late R. Willis and Eloise Harvey in 1928, Littleton, NC, Jessie graduated from Littleton High School. After attending Peace College in Raleigh, NC, she moved to Richmond, VA in 1948, where she met and married Bill, the love of her life. She was pre-deceased by Bill in 1999, just shy of 50 years of marriage. Jessie’s younger sister, Harriet Mickel, of Dallas, TX pre-deceased her this past April.

Jessie was friendly and had a beautiful smile. She enjoyed traveling, held a variety of jobs, and pursued many interests. Some of her early workplaces included the Richmond Medical Examiner’s office, Thalhimers Department Store (downtown), and an OB/GYN office. While raising her children, she earned her P&C Insurance license and worked with her husband at Pendleton Insurance Agency, where she was Vice President. Jessie loved interacting with students when she worked in Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Richmond – her husband’s alma mater. In “semi-retirement”, Jessie also held a real estate license.

She and her husband Bill enjoyed their involvement with the University of Richmond Lake Society and The Spider Club, where they also served as “Foster Parents” to out-of-state athletes. They were loyal Spider football and basketball fans who enjoyed many a pre-game tailgate party and post-game gatherings with their enthusiastic UR friends.

Having a keen interest in her genealogy, Jessie was proud to be inducted into the Daughters of the American Revolution, Commonwealth Chapter, Richmond. She later joined the Orlando Chapter; and most recently, the Nathaniel Bacon Chapter in Richmond. Jessie’s faith was important to her, and she was involved with the Altar Guild for her churches in both Richmond, VA and Orlando, FL. She was also a member of the Tuckahoe Women’s Club. During her years in Orlando, Florida, she volunteered with Hospice.

Art and history were of special interest to Jessie. She was a member of the Virginia Historical Society; the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and a charter member of the Virginia Holocaust Museum. She discovered her artistic talents in her 50s and enjoyed painting and art classes. Jessie was a member of the James River Art League and the Watercolor Society of Florida. Some of her family’s most treasured legacies are Jessie’s paintings that “tell stories” of her childhood and our family.

The Pendleton family would like to thank Comfort Keepers of Richmond for their dedicated care – especially Willie and Gayle (long-time caregivers and “family”), Sandy (nurse), and Connie (office). For the past several months, Jessie has also been under the devoted care of Medi Hospice. In particular, heartfelt thanks to her compassionate and devoted nurses Stephanie and Dixie, LaToya (aide), Bill (Chaplain), and nurse Natalie for her guidance and reassurance through Jessie’s final night. Thank you all for making her journey and transition peaceful – for Jessie, and for us.

Jessie is survived by her daughter Pamela Fendley of Fern Park, FL; daughter Robin Albert and her husband Mark, of Herndon, VA; and son, William (“Campbell”) Pendleton, Jr. and his wife Patty, of Richmond. She is survived by four grandchildren: Laura Albert (fiancé Chris), Catherine (Cassie) Albert, Riley Reed (Rochelle) and Molly Pendleton. She is also survived by nieces Kathy Harper and Cindy Mickel Christopher (Armand), nephew T. “Mike” Mickel (Margaret), and their families.

A graveside service is planned for Friday, October 1, 11:00am at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, VA 23222. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, or donate.lovetotherescue.org – or to a charity of your choice.