Doris Williams Pendarvis, 76, of the Beulah Community near Georgetown, was peacefully called home by her Lord Jesus Christ on Tuesday evening, February 16, 2021, after many weeks of illness and covid complications.
She was joyfully met by those who preceded her in death: daughter, Valerie Cook; infant grandson, Joseph Todd Cook; brother, Ed Williams; and parents, Jack and Grace Elaine Williams.
Doris was born on May 20, 1944, in Winnfield. She was a lifelong resident of Beulah Community and a member of Beulah Baptist Church, where she faithfully served in several capacities, including many years as pianist and Sunday School teacher.
Along with singing in the choir, one of her greatest joys was singing with her siblings at local churches and events as part of The Williams Family Quartet. Her clear, lovely voice will be among many things that will be missed by all who knew Doris.
After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education from Louisiana Tech in 1966, Mrs. Pendarvis taught third grade and other grades at Georgetown High School for more than three decades.
She was beloved by the hundreds of students whose lives she touched and blessed. Countless times former students nominated her for recognition as the teacher who most influenced their lives. Her pupils learned that she loved each of them almost as dearly as she loved the Lord and His Word. Every school day began by reciting Psalm 100, and a scripture verse was included with each week’s spelling lesson. It was also her daily practice to read the class a modern-day story with a scriptural lesson.
During her retirement, Doris enjoyed cruises and traveling in the United States, Mexico, and the Carribean Islands. She especially enjoyed “sister vacations” with her sisters, sometimes accompanied by nieces and nephews. She often blessed the family by sharing her spiritual wisdom during their daily vacation devotional times.
Services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Beulah Baptist Church with Pastors Lamar Carpenter, Sammy Morrow, and Joe Bruce officiating.
Interment will follow in the Beulah Cemetery under direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.
Doris is survived by Billy Joe Pendarvis, her husband of almost 55 years, as well as a grandson Christopher Luke Cook, who is a 2013 graduate of LSU in Baton Rouge. Luke, the delight of his Mimi’s heart, is an extraordinary musician, playing several instruments. He currently resides in South Korea where he teaches English to third through sixth grade students. She is also survived by three sisters, Nelda Hutchins and husband Charlie, Kathy Kuhn and husband Alden, and Teresa Sauce and husband Ronnie, all of Beulah Community. She will also be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, members of her church family, and countless friends, all of whom loved this sweet Christian lady. Pallbearers will be Dolan Pendarvis, Joe
Todd Cook, Jace Sauce, Travis Maxwell, Justin Kirkland, and Brendan Hutchins.
Honorary pallbearers will be Devin Sauce, Ray Hutchins, Eric Jones, Travis Hutchins, Gerry Lincecum, and Carl Hutchins.
Memorial gifts may be designated to the Beulah Church Building Fund, a cause that was dear to Mrs. Pendarvis’ heart.