This letter from from Patricia summarizes the hard times Allen and Bonnie Pendergrass have been going through with the trial of the woman responsible for their daughter, and our cousin, Jessica's death:
Dear Family and Friends of the Schram-Royal Family Reunion,
I am writing to give you an update on the trial of Jessica Pendergrass' death and to ask for your help in comforting Allen and Bonnie Pendergrass during this very difficult time in their lives.
I know some of you might not personally know Allen, Bonnie or Jessica or their stories. They rarely attend the reunion every year. Allen is the late Aunt Sis's (Celia Pendergrass) youngest son, and my dad's (John Pendergrass) brother. Jessica was Allen and Bonnie's only child.
Jessica was killed by a drunk driver a little over a year ago. This past week Allen and Bonnie endured a five day trial involving the manslaughter charge against the perpetrator. The verdict for the woman returned "not guilty," because the state of Tennessee did not take a blood-alcohol test in the ER room and could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this woman was drunk. There were witnesses from the casino who said they saw her drinking many drinks and nurses and doctors from the hospital in Memphis who said they smelled alcohol on her breath, but their testimonies weren't sufficient.
I can't imagine what Allen and Bonnie are feeling at this time…
I am writing because I want to encourage you to reach out to them at this very sad time. A sympathy card is a wonderful gesture to show them that they are not going through this alone, but have friends and family who are thinking and caring for them.
There address is:
[EP: address withheld for privacy reasons. Family members, write to me if you need the address]
Though it can be difficult to know what to say in a situation like this, my friends who've lost loved ones assure me that all gestures mean a great deal.
Feel free to contact me with further questions: [EP: email for Patricia's phone number].
By His Grace,
Patricia Pendergrass
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1 comment:
Hello, my name is Nichol Paux. Jessica Pendergrass was my Best Friend. We have B/F's since High School and lost touch in 2004. I have been looking for her since then. I just read this story about her accident and can't stop crying... I would really like to talk to Allen and Bonnie, I can't believe this is true. I live in Pensacola but, I will be traveling to Memphis @ the end of May to see my family and would like to see Allen and Bonnie. I have to talk to them and i would like to give my Best Friend a proper good bye. Please, If you can help me then my e-mail address is boepoe@gmail.com PLEASE let me know something....Anything!
Thank you
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