Posted: Thursday, August 14, 2008 3:46 pm

Col. Al Pendergrass

Community members paid their last respects to a well-known Martin man Monday morning. Col. Al Pendergrass, 81, passed away on Thursday at Madison County General Hospital in Jackson. Pendergrass was a veteran of the United States Army. He was well noted for his contributions to the Martin Tree Board and recently helped the City of Martin successfully obtain the designation of Tree City U.S.A through the National Arbor Day Foundation. As an environmental activist, Pendergrass also served on the Martin Beautiful Committee as well as the Tennessee Urban Forestry Association. After serving 30 years with the United States Army, Pendergrass became a professor of military science with the University of Tennessee at Martin. Pendergrass graduated from the University of Georgia and went on to obtain a master’s degree from Boston University. The retired Army colonel also served on many civic organizations including the Martin Rotary Club, Gideon’s International as well as serving as a 50-year member of the Masonic-Martin City Lodge #551. He held a post as commander of the American Legion – University Post #69. Carmen Tilghman Pendergrass was his wife and he was preceded in death by Betty Dawkins Pendergrass. Pendergrass is survived by several children including Capt. Russell Pendergrass of Singapore; Alva W. Pendergrass III of Fresno, Cal.; Hugh Pendergrass of Peachtree City, Ga.; Mark Pendergrass of Dayton, Ohio; Doug Pendergrass of Carolina Peach, N.C.; Alan Penn of Kenton and Renee Childs of Kenton. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. Pendergrass was laid to rest at Martin Memorial Gardens Monday morning. WCP 8.12.08