Anita Kay Mendenhall, 54, passed away Thursday, June 20th, 2024 from a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She will remain in our hearts forever for she was the most versatile and hardest working single mom who devoted her life to her three children and later to her four grandchildren guiding them through schooling, recreational activities, and later to teaching and just being there with her beautiful grandchildren during holidays and especially “birthdays”.
There were many celebrations throughout the years including many theme park trips, 4th of July celebrations and family gatherings. During her life’s journey, Anita was devastated with the tragic loss of her eldest daughter Crystal Marie who incurred a rare kidney illness and passed away on January 29th, 2014. Her strength and stamina was witnessed by many family and friends as each year an event to celebrate Crystal’s loss was held at different venues.
Anita was always adept at anything she ever tried, even driving around the Daytona Nascar Track at high speeds with an instructor present. This was just one of many perilous and daredevil events along with being a huge fan of Nascar. She loved animals, especially horses but most enviable trips occurred whenever the time was allowed, were her many jaunts to the beach. Anita was a beach bum, given the chance she would actually live there. Anita has left an indelible legacy with all of us for her unlimited energy, extreme courage, and an unforgettable fight to live life to the fullest.
She had four beautiful grandchildren that she loved and cherished very much. She went to a lot of treasured events to support them. This unbelievable “Grammy” will be missed forever.
We have all gained an admiral and long lasting experience by being acquainted with this truly kind, loving and gracious lady, she shall never be forgotten.
Anita is predeceased by her grandparents, Clifford and Mary Lou Stephenson, along with her eldest daughter Crystal Marie.
She is survived by her mother and best friend, F. Elaine Betsinger and Tommy, daughter, Mary Lena and Mike, grandson Griffin, son Brandon and Jenna, grandsons Greyson, Paxton and Dillon and her brother Michael and Mary, nephews Jordan, Nicholas, and Noah,