Carol J. Pender

On March 15, 2024, Carol Jean Ballard Pender, beloved mother, nana, sister, and friend, entered the kingdom of heaven after a long illness. Her final years were spent surrounded by her loving family, friends, and many devoted caregivers at Embrace Hospice House in Myrtle Beach, SC. Near the end Carol lost her ability to speak or see clearly. However, her sense of humor still prevailed through her beautiful eyes, her warm embrace, her vibrant smile, and her infectious laughter. 

Carol was born on October 10, 1937, in Lamar, SC, to Mae Bell and Worth (Oscar) Ostell Ballard. Her beauty was vibrant from the inside out. Carol won many beauty contests, including a trip to the Miss South Carolina pageant. Then in 1959, she was graduated from Limestone College and had a nearly four-decade public school career in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. In the 1970’s she acquired a Master’s Degree in Guidance Counseling from the University of South Carolina. In 1960, Carol married John William Pender. They had two daughters, Deborah (1962) and Myla (1964). They were her world, and she gave them her unconditional love for the next 61 years. Also, Carol was blessed with four grandchildren—Fields, Heath, Henry, and Anna. Her retirement years were spent enjoying many activities. She loved painting, playing cards with friends, water aerobics, gardening, and traveling. She also kept her mind sharp by tutoring many children in math after retiring. There have been many words used over the years and in recent condolences to describe Carol--resilient, joyful, kind, loving, and savvy just to name a few. She truly adored her family and all of the friendships and relationships she cultivated over the years. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Leonard Ballard. She is survived by her brother, Steve (Nancy) Ballard of Due West, SC; daughter, Deb (Tom) Goering of Topeka, KS; daughter, Myla (Gene) Butler of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren, Fields Butler of Charlotte, NC; Heath Butler of Columbia, SC; Henry and Anna Goering of Topeka, KS; nephew Matt (Leah) Ballard of Annapolis, MD; and their two boys, Jonah and Caleb; and sister-in-law, Bobbie (Bo) Wilhite of Walhalla, SC. 

Services will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 801 11th Avenue North, North Myrtle Beach, SC, 29582, on April 1, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. followed by a visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church. Donations may be made in her memory to CMC Embrace Hospice House, 175 Village Center, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579.

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