Pendergrast, Elizabeth
PENDERGRAST (BET),
Elizabeth C.
On 8/21/2021, Elizabeth C Pendergrast (Bet) passed unexpectedly after a short illness. Born 10/13/1951 in Atlanta to Ambrose H. Pendergrast and Helen S. Pendergrast, (Bet) attended Lakeside High School, the University of Georgia and completed her Medical Technology training at Grady Hospital and Georgia State University where she often joined her father in his chemistry lab for lunch. She began her career at various hospitals and met her husband of 45 years, David C. Burghardt, while working at Grady Hospital. She spent the last 20 years of her career working at the CDC. She was proud of her work and valued her colleagues and the friendships she made there. Bet's work ethic was incredible; she did everything at 100 percent whether it was planning and teaching aerobic dance classes, working in the labratory, or managing the freezers at the CDC. While Bet was contemplative and often quiet, when she spoke it was with a confident voice. She was quick to laugh; her giggles and guffaws lit up the room. She loved music and dance ranging from 60s rock and Michael Jackson, to the Atlanta Ballet and English Country Dancing. Audio books, especially combined with walking on the beach, were transportive for Bet. Her love of travel took her across the country and overseas, including around the world with her mom in 1974, and with her husband in later years. She loved word games; her analytical approach to Scrabble was unbeatable. Most of all, she loved her family especially her sons, James E. and Tyler O. Burghardt. Her siblings were her closest friends. Her favorite events were family gatherings, dinners and game nights, where she often led the clean up crew. Dressing up in costumes was an enjoyable frivolity. Although personally frugal, Bet was always generous to others. Bet is survived by her husband and sons, her brother Don (Tracie), sisters Alice (Armistead Neely) and Callie (Dennis Creech), and numerous cousins scattered around the country. She is loved and missed by all. The family requests that in lieu of flowers you donate to the charity of your choice. Two of her favorites were the Ambrose H. Pendergrast Fellowship at Georgia State University and Feeding America.
