Mallie Pendergrass

Malvera “Mallie” Pendergrass, age 91, of Hamilton, Ohio, made her grand entrance into Heaven in the early morning hours of July 18, 2025. There is no doubt the announcement of Mallie’s arrival spread quickly and a huge group of loved ones hurried to welcome her to her eternal home.

Mallie was born in Hamilton, Ohio, October 25, 1933, to Scott and Nannie (Wells) Willis, joining a strong family filled with faith and spiritual impact. She graduated from Seven Mile High School and since childhood knew she wanted to become a hair dresser. Mallie often saved lunch money and paid friends to practice “fixing their hair”. Her very successful business, Mallie’s Beauty Salon, was established in the 1950s. One can only imagine the thousands of people Mallie helped beautify over the course of her 60+ years as a professional stylist.

Inside and outside her business, Mallie impacted thousands of people with her gifts of encouragement, hospitality, generosity, and put her faith into action. Sharing her knowledge of the Bible, Mallie taught Sunday School, wrote and directed an annual Easter Passion Play, and was instrumental in leading many people into the knowledge of and relationship with Jesus Christ.

Mallie is survived by her children, Barbara Brown, Gary (Sue) Brown, Lisa (Robert) Moats, and daughter by heart, Rachel Wright, who were extremely devoted to ensuring she received the best care possible. Mallie is also survived by her sister, Colleen McCarty, and will be deeply missed by her grandchildren: Matt (Stephanie) Hubbard; Andy (Jessica) Hubbard; Amber Brown; Sarah (Ryan) Cooper; Sam Accorinti, April Pendergrass, and Curtis (Rachel) Pendergrass, nine great-grandchildren, and many loved ones and friends who respected and loved her. Mallie was pre-deceased by the love of her life, husband, William Howard Pendergrass; her parents; her siblings: Imogene Bowling, Yvonne Lesher, Marlene Fisher, and Wayne Willis, and her grandson, Daniel Howard Accorinti.

A Homegoing Celebration will be held Tuesday, July 22, at Calvary Church, 2355 Jacksonburg Rd., Hamilton, OH. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. with a funeral following, officiated by Pastors Jim and Diane Mullins, Rev. Johnny Wade Sloan and Rev. Scott Willis. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of The Woodlands of Hamilton and the Hospice of Cincinnati for their care and support for Mallie and the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Daniel H. Accorinti Memorial Scholarship, payable to the Hamilton Community Foundation, 319 North Third Street, Hamilton, OH 45011.

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord”. (Matthew 25:23, NKJV)