Sallie Pendergraft
Ms. Sallie Pendergraft was born in Winnsboro, SC, lived in Durham as a child, and moved to Chapel Hill, NC, as a teenager. Ms. Sallie is one of the oldest living and active members at First Baptist Church. She co-founded the Lyon Park Family Life and Recreation Center in Durham and served for many years at the Holmes Daycare at Hargraves.
Sallie Pendergraft - On her education, faith, the Church of God, and Holmes Child Care
In this interview, Sally Pendergraft (soon turning 99 years old) discusses her family growing up in Durham and Chapel Hill. Her daughter, Christie who spent many years living in Georgia joins her to help her remember details about her life. The conversation covers the founding of the Church of God in Chapel Hill, started by Ms. Pendergraft’s Aunt Sissy, as well as Ms. Pendergraft’s experience of having a minister for a father and her relationship with God and the church. They also discuss her schooling at the Orange County Training School, her work as the director of Holmes Child Care in Chapel Hill for many years as well as her experience as a teacher. Ms. Pendergraft’s husband Rufus is also mentioned, including his large family and their many relations places like New York and California. Discussion of the difficulties of growing up and living in a segregated and post-segregation South pepper the conversation. Interviewer Megan Stanley shares some of her family history, and last of all, Ms. Pendergraft talks about the longevity of her family members and shares her life philosophy and advice for those who hope to live a life as long as hers.
