Jillian Courtney Pendergrass

Jillian Courtney Pendergrass, age 18, left this world much too soon in the early morning of Monday, May 15, 2023.  Jillian was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, a precious gift to Curt and Kara Pendergrass on July 9, 2004.

Jillian spent her whole life living in Lexington. She was a graduate of Lafayette High School where she was a clarinetist on the Pride of the Bluegrass Marching Band.  She started marching as an eighth grader, winning four state championships.  She began dance at age 3 as a member of Kiddie Kapers Dance Company and later competitively with Dance Attack Dance Company through her senior year of high school.  Jillian was a free spirit who lived each day to its fullest, loved to travel, explore the backroads, and meet new people along the way.  She was a true creative type who loved art and music as well as everything retro and vintage, from fashion to furniture.  She loved anime, her favorite was Naruto, and anything to do with dragons.  Jillian was employed at Bella Notte and Raising Cane’s where she worked her way up to the New Restaurant Opener position traveling the country to help train new staff.  Like most teens her age, Jillian loved hanging out with her close friends from school and dance and those in her ever-expanding social circle.  Jillian always saw the beauty in the world and brought a smile to all those whom she encountered.

Left to cherish Jillian are her loving parents, Curt and Kara Pendergrass; sister, Jena; her paternal grandmother, Peggy, aunts Judy, Lisa, and Pamela, uncles Scott, Keith, Clark, and Mike along with first cousins Kristopher, Jonathan, Alanna, Matthew and Charlie and numerous extended family members across the US.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Jillian’s life will be from 7:00 pm until 9:30 pm, Wednesday, May 24th at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center located at 300 E Third Street in Lexington.

In honor of her legacy, please direct memorial donations to the Lexington Humane Society in honor of Jillian Pendergrass (Venmo account “LexingtonHumane”, by phone at 859-233-0044 ext. 264 with credit card or by mail or in person “Lexington Humane Society, 1600 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY 40504”.)  Jillian loved animals almost as much as she loved people, and she spent her whole life in a home full of adopted and rescued animals.

Milward Funeral Directors are entrusted with Jillian’s arrangements. To share a remembrance of Jillian or to offer condolences to her family, please sign the online guestbook at www.milwardfuneral.com .