Rudolph Pendleton

Memorial Video Online

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FSxafpMVCo

Rudy's Memorial video on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FSxafpMVCo

For the last couple of years Rudy Pendleton, or “Sonny,” as his family knows him, has been lamenting the slowdown in his social life. “I stay at home most of the time now and watch TV. Most of my friends are dead. Sometimes I go to two or three funerals in a month.” But for the man who knew so many people, funerals were a time to gather and a time to say goodbye, and he always took the time

For the last couple of years Rudy Pendleton, or “Sonny,” as his family knows him, has been lamenting the slowdown in his social life. “I stay at home most of the time now and watch TV. Most of my friends are dead. Sometimes I go to two or three funerals in a month.” But for the man who knew so many people, funerals were a time to gather and a time to say goodbye, and he always took the time to pay his respects.

Well, now it’s Sonny’s turn. We gather to celebrate his life and we know he is stepping high, head back, whistle blowing, tossing his baton, and marching to a different drummer. And so many of his friends and family are waiting for him.

He was born Rudolph Milton Pendleton, in Fredericksburg, VA on July 21, 1940. Sonny came in the world living the motto he wrote in his 1961 Walker Grant High School yearbook, “I want what I want when I want it.” His lifetime source of pride was serving as Drum Major in the school’s Fighting Tigers Marching Band. He commanded the field and strutted his stuff, like no other since.

Whenever Sonny set his sights on making something, buying something, having something, he usually found a way. He became a creative hair stylist at an early age and had a natural talent for sewing, cooking, singing, and dancing. He was ahead of time in color in fashion, and wore almost as many hairstyles as he created. If there was a party, Sonny knew about it, and many times, he was the one throwing it. He bought so many different people together.

Sonny left home to live first in Washington, DC, then in Alexandria, VA. He was an unofficial mayor of sorts. Everyone knew him as he continued his cosmetology, frequented the nightspots, and gave his annual birthday party. He often performed in the clubs around town and loved covering the songs of Etta James and Billie Holiday. He was not content to just attend an affair; he would have to take the floor. He relished the spotlight.

On Friday, February 1, 2013 Sonny took the floor for the last time,

Rudolph "Sonny" "Rudy" Pendleton was a most talented creative person who will be sorely missed.

My Condolence To The Pendleton Family On The Lost Of RUDY Who Was A Very Dear Good Friend Of Mine For More Than 40'yrs. I'll Miss The Phone Conversation We Would Have 3-4 Times Aweek An My Visit To The House Sometime To Sit An Break-Bread Together,Also The Yearly Big Birthday Bash RUDY Would Give Each Year In Which Many-Many Of RUDY"S Friends Would Come An Celebrate! RUDY Would Always Say"I Would Like To See All My Friend and Flowers Now' While I'm Alive An Can See-Smell An Enjoy Them"!! I'll Miss You RUDY,My Dear Friend!! Josephine Sophia Quarles