Doris Jean "DJ" Fendley, 99, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026. A woman who never believed in being still, DJ lived a life marked by warmth, generosity, and an unwavering devotion to the people she loved. She was once quoted as saying, "It is better to wear out than rust out". She lived those words every day.

DJ was born on July 31, 1926, in Moreland, Kentucky, to Cecil and Velma Russell. The middle child of three sisters, she grew up with a spirited independence that would define the rest of her life. At sixteen, she moved to Louisville and later attended Georgetown College, where the summer after her freshman year, she met Kenneth Fendley. They knew their connection and love were ones that would last—they married after her sophomore year and went on to share 57 wonderful years together.
No matter what town or state they called home, DJ and Ken built a full and lively home, raising five children: Skip, Jeanne, Leslie, Sara, and Russ. DJ poured herself into motherhood with joy and creativity—always willing to play a game, host a dinner, or sew an item of clothing (or two, or ten). Her home was a place where people gathered, songs were sung, something was always cooking, and where no one ever felt like a stranger.

Beyond the home, DJ dedicated thirty years to the University of Kentucky as a medical transcriptionist, a role she carried out with the same diligence and care she brought to everything in her life. But retirement was never going to slow DJ down. Instead, she filled her days even further—working in the mailroom at the Georgetown News-Graphic, leading the Georgetown Baptist senior adult group, the Live Embers, driving her friends wherever they needed to go, and showing up whenever and wherever she was needed.

In addition to being a wonderful mom and friend, DJ was incredibly dedicated to each of her 13 grandchildren. She never failed to send a card or make a phone call on a birthday, attend an event, laugh at their stories, and teach them some of her favorite games, like Scrabble or Skip-Bo.

DJ spent her last years at Windsor Gardens, where she had a tight circle of friends, told many a story to the staff, and was often the undisputed trivia and Scrabble champion.

DJ is survived by her five children, Skip Fendley (Trudy), Jeanne Stevens (Sandy), Leslie Sturgill (Ken), Sara Gute (Marty), and Russ Fendley (Pam Goins); thirteen grandchildren Kim Durden, Kara Kilpatrick (Steve), Laura Thomas (Mark), Timothy Fendley (Leslie), Emilie Barrick, Alison Gillaspie (Eric), Andrew Sturgill, Philip Sturgill (Courtney), Abigail Wolfe (Aaron), Aaron Holsclaw (Delayney), Alaina Holsclaw, Tyler Fendley (Seiara) and Logan Pendleton (Andrew); twenty-two great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons; and her beloved sister, Beatrice, fondly known as Pete, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Velma Russell; her husband, Kenneth; and her older sister, Bernice.

Services will be held at Georgetown Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 1:00 with visitation preceding services from 11:00-1:00.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Windsor Gardens for all the years of love, laughter, and care they showed to DJ. In addition, they would also like to acknowledge the wonderful staff from Bluegrass Navigators for caring for our Mom and her family.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Marshall Center for Christian Ministry at Georgetown College in the name of Kenneth and Doris Jean Fendley endowment, 400 East College Street, Georgetown, KY 40324. DJ Fendley lived ninety-nine remarkable years, and she filled every single one of them. She will be deeply missed and long remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.