Mary Cloyd Pendygraft

1930-2020

Mary Cloyd Pendygraft passed away peacefully on March 3, 2020 surrounded by family. She will be remembered for her keen wit, understated sense of humor, tenacious aptitude for civil service, her commitment to domestic enrichment, and her unwavering love for her family. 

Born September 23, 1930 to David and Ethel Cloyd, she was one of five children. Mary was not one to let the expectations of others overrule her fervor for blazing her own path. She was elected the first female County Judge Executive in the State of Kentucky, a position to which she devoted herself for decades. She could grow a zinnia as easily as she could a grassroots movement. Her loyalty to her community was outweighed only by her dedication to her family. 

Preceded in death by her loving husband Leon and sister Anna Scudder, Mary is survived by her sister Kathy Cloyd, brothers Jerry Cloyd and Travis Cloyd; her two sons David (Frances) Pendygraft and Robert (Cordelia) Pendygraft; and her two grandchildren, Fox (Alesha) Pendygraft and Anne Pendygraft, and at the ripe age of two years, Mary’s youngest legacy, her great granddaughter, Cadence Nichole, is posed to uphold the tradition of strong, independent Pendygraft women. 

As generous with her love as she was with her homemade brownies, Mary was an icon in her community. She will be remembered not by the disease she so arduously battled her last decade of life, but for the spark that drove her forward for 89 stalwart years. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 1 p.m. at Stith Funeral Home, Junction City, followed by a reception for family and friends and entombment at 3 pm at Danville Memorial Gardens. The online guestbook is available at www.stithcares.com.