Mr. Johnnie A. Pender of Aurora, N.C. entered into eternal rest on June 14,2021.
Johnnie Alson Pender, Sr., also known by many as JP, was born on February 3, 1962, to the union of Alson and Mary Pender in Washington, NC. He received his formal education at Aurora High School in Aurora, NC where he graduated in 1980.
JP accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and was united with Holy Temple and St. Hooker.
JP was united with Audrey Sawyer in Aurora, NC. Their union was blessed with two wonderful sons.
JP was employed by Texas Gulf (Nutrien) at the age of 17 out of high school where he learned various skills and trades. JP excelled in the work field with on-the-job training, mill wrights, sandblasting, hydro blasting, not to forget a heavy equipment operator for well over thirty years. In his leisure he loved his long rides and daily walks throughout life. He also enjoyed working, providing for his children and family, and working on cars. He had a passion for his 72’ Ford Torino, 78’ Cadillac Fleetwood, and his 80’ Thunderbird. JP would end his day with a cold natural light until he stopped drinking in 2019.
JP was definitely a people person. He had the biggest family because once he considered you one of his own you were just that, “family”, and your family became his family as well. It was known at any family gatherings he was coming with a fathering lecture of how he raised us all in some form or fashion. He never let us forget that. His one and only granddaughter, Jordyn-Sky, meant the world to him. She was his everything from the moment she was born until his last breath.
JP was the family go to for any job from mechanics to dog houses to crawling under our homes. No matter how he felt he was always there. His favorite saying was, “Wait right here, I’ll be right back”. He would say what he had to, throw them hands up, and walk away. If you knew him, you knew not to wait for him to return. JP was a stubborn man and full of pride. To see him down or asking for help was not easy. If he did you know he needed it. Johnnie, the man who always made it possible and kept going. He will continue to be loved, remembered, and deeply missed by family and friends.
Johnnie Pender was preceded in death by his father Alson Pender.
He leaves to cherish his memory his spouse, Audrey Sawyer; two children, Johnnie Pender, Jr. and Jason Pender; mother, Mary Pender; three sisters: Mary Branch (Clint) of Bayboro, NC, Gloria Pope of Washington, NC, and Amy Pender of Edward, NC; three brothers: Melvin Pope (Barbara) of Washington, NC, Russell Pender of Edward, NC, and James Pender (Latoya) of Portsmouth, VA; Special friends: Mike Reid, Joe Hardy, and Carl Moore; cousin, Kenneth Hemby; a flock of nieces and nephews whom he raised as his own; and a host of other relatives and friends who loved him dearly.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Mr. Johnnie A. Pender, please visit our floral store.