Services for Riley James “Poochie” Pendleton will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant Valley M.B. Church, Mississippi 27, with the Rev. Joe Harris officiating. Burial will follow at New Zion Cemetery under the direction of W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until the service.

Mr. Pendleton died Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at Shady Lawn Nursing Home. He was 57.

He was born in Vicksburg to Thomas James Sr. and Ella Mae Pendleton. He graduated in 1973 from East Aurora High School in Aurora, Ill., where he was a varsity letterman of the track team and named an All-American in track.

He was a former member of Progressive M.B., Gayles M.B. and New Zion Baptist churches. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, where he was on the deacon board and served as president of the Men’s Ministry. He returned to Vicksburg after retiring from Caterpillar with 33 years of service.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Rodney Neil and four brothers, Leroy Pendleton, William “Jake” Williams, Thomas James Jr. and Sylvester Pendleton.

Survivors include three daughters, Elisha Pendleton, Heather Pendleton and Cassandra Harris, all of Aurora; a brother, Charles Pendleton of Russellville, Ark.; a sister, Mary Gardner of Aurora; one grandson; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including Anthony James, Loula B. James, Jean Millsap, Mary Jackson and Willie Mae Walker.