Alta Joyce Pendleton

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oak Grove for Alta Joyce Pendleton, 90, of Purvis, who left this world to join the Lord on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Bro. Doug Blackwell and Bro. Blen Blackwell will officiate the service. Interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia.

The Pendleton family will receive guests on Tuesday afternoon from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oak Grove.

Joyce was born in Columbia, Mississippi, in December 1935 to Arthur and Rosa Lee McDaniel. She grew up alongside her three sisters and three brothers: Hazel Speights, Charles McDaniel, Sonya Dunaway, Glen McDaniel, Ellen Robertson, and Clifton McDaniel.

Joyce lived a full and adventurous life. In 1955, she married Albert Martin Minasian, a Navy man. Together, they lived in Japan, where their first child, Jennifer was born. Joyce and Albert later moved to Fresno, California, where their second and third children were born, Rebecca and Brent. Their children were the light of their lives.

In 1969, Joyce married Sylbert Byrne Pendleton, an Air Force man who had three children of his own, Tim, Rudy, and Mark Pendleton. They spent several years in Mountain Green, Utah, where Joyce’s adventures continued. Anyone who knew the Pendleton family likely has a funny—or perhaps scary—story to tell about flying in the family airplane!

Following her second divorce, Joyce and her children moved to Long Beach, Mississippi.

Throughout her life, Joyce was a faithful and loyal member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her faith remained an important part of her life and the legacy she leaves behind.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Rosa Lee McDaniel, and her daughter, Rebecca Lynn Pendleton Hudson.

She is survived by her two children, Jennifer Swilley (Chris) and Brent Pendleton (Kim); three grandchildren, Brandy Hood Hudson, Mandi Swilley, and Zach Pendleton; her great-grandchildren, Destiny Hart, Heather Hart, William Hart Jr., Shane Swilley, and Kyrie Swilley (Dalton); and seven Great-great grandchildren, Ryleigh, Kinsleigh and Lainleigh Turnage, Brantley Hart, Brenden Pittman, Kasen Vance, and Nova Swilley.

Joyce will be remembered for her faith, her adventurous spirit, and above all, the family she loved and leaves behind.

Mrs. Pendleton will be carried to her final resting place by those honored to serve as Pallbearers: William Hart, Zach Pendleton, Shane Swilley, Chris Swilley, Dalton Suddoth, and James Hardwick.

Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.