
Following last night's passing of R&B icon Teddy Pendergrass, at age 59, details of his memorial service have been announced.
The official public viewing will be held Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2800 West Cheltenham Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19150. The funeral will be held Jan. 23 at 10 a.m., also at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Internment will follow at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA.
The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to The Joan & Teddy Pendergrass Memorial, P.O. Box 382, Gladwyne, PA 19035.
The chart-topping crooner suffered from colon cancer, which he was hospitalized for last summer. Pendergrass is survived by his mother, Ida Pendergrass; his wife Joan; his children, Teddy Pendergrass II, Trisha Pendergrass and La Donna Pendergrass; daughters from his marriage to Joan, Sherilla Lestrade and Jessica Avila; and grandchildren Montaurius Driane, Desaray Drane, Teddy Pendergrass III, Alana Nida Sky Pendergrass, Gabriel Gomes, Jasmine Lestrade and Jeremiah Sanford.
"Teddy Pendergrass was one of the greatest artists that the music industry has ever known, and there hasn't been another one since," his close friends and producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff said in a join statement. "We've lost our voice and we've lost our best friend, but we're thankful for what we had. It was beautiful. He was one of the best." The Kingstree, South Carolina native was of the most successful R&B singers during the 1970s. His was the voice behind hit songs such as Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' 'I Miss You,' 'Bad Luck,' 'Wake Up Everybody,' and the two million seller 'If You Don't Know Me By Now.'
As a solo artist, the five-time Grammy nominated crooner released a string of hits, including 'Close the Door,' 'Turn Off the Lights,' 'I Don't Love You Anymore' and 'Love T.K.O.'
In 1982, a near fatal car crash left him wheelchair bound. He later established the charitable Teddy Pendergrass Alliance (TPA) in 1987, and in 2007, formed a partnership with the National Spinal Cord Injury Association to help people with injuries during the early stages of recovery.


Comments: (30)
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By: FEISHA on 1/14/2010 8:26PM
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY, GOD BLESS THEM!
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By: Patricia on 1/14/2010 8:50PM
May God comfort you in your time of mourning and rest assure that you, his family are in our (his fans) prayers. Keep strong and know that we loved Teddy Pendergrass,but God loved him most.
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By: S Tyler on 1/14/2010 9:37PM
I am so sorry to hear about his death. He was a wonderful and soulful icon. I can only hope that he knew what he was able to contribute to the music world.
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By: jan on 2/05/2010 3:26PM
my prays are with the family, of teddy pendergrass
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By: mzjanuary205 on 1/14/2010 10:20PM
Going to miss you, Teddy. This hurts.
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By: decesdee on 1/17/2010 6:34AM
When I woke up this morning to the new that Teddy died. I went straight to my computer where I have a bunch of his songs stored and played every one of them. I love his music solo music but his duets with Stephanie Mills slay me everytime i hear them.
(Feel the Fire)+(Two Hearts)
It Don't Hurt Now
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By: bright-eyes.net on 1/15/2010 12:30AM
My God this hurts like (((Hell)) !!!!
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By: darlene peoples on 1/19/2010 11:04AM
I was very surprised to hear about Teddy Pendergrass death. Last month me and a friend was invited to a dance up in Harlem during the holidays and the DJ played several of Mr. Pendegrass music. my fiend and I was reminscing of the great music that Mr. Pendergrass sang back in the days. What a Voice! May he rest in peace.
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By: Diane on 1/16/2010 8:57AM
Teddy you were truly one of God's FINEST creations. I am especially praying that the Lord will continue to give your mother the strenght she will need to go on. She was such a loving and caring mother and hung in there with you from the beginning to the end. Teddy, you worked so hard in your lifetime so may you finally get the rest you deserve. Love you so much Teddy.
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By: pat on 1/16/2010 10:10AM
may God bless and keep your family
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