CLIFTON, Ill. -- Betty J. Pender, 74, of Clifton died Friday, July 6, 2018.

She was born Sept. 5, 1943, in Cape Girardeau to Fred and Alma Cloninger Shirrell. She and Gerald E. Pender were married Dec. 25, 1961, at Cape Girardeau.

She was the activity director at Merkle-Knipprath Nursing Home for several years.

She loved gardening and reading.

She was a member of Nazarene Church of Gilman, Illinois.

Survivors include a daughter, Jerri (Randy) Gereg of St. Anne, Illinois; three sons, Robert (Mary) Pender of New Concord, Kentucky, Fred (Lisa) Pender of Brookport, Illinois, and Shane Pender of Spring City, Tennessee; a sister, Sandy (Alan) Crenshaw of Jackson; two brothers, Marvin (Linda) Shirrell of Cape Girardeau and David (Janet) Shirrell of Jackson; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will follow at noon Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Ramsey officiating. Burial will be at Hobbs Chapel Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.