Elizabeth Pongetti

Elizabeth Ann Belenchia Pongetti, 94, departed this life on Monday, December 11, 2023, in Cleveland, Mississippi. Visitation will be 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 18,2023, at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Cleveland, Mississippi. Celebration of life service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m.  Internment will be at the Shelby Cemetery in Shelby, Mississippi. 

Elizabeth was born on October 27, 1929 in Shelby, Mississippi to Marshall and Amelia Belenchia.  She attended Shelby High School and graduated in 1948.  She was married to the late Albert John Pongetti for over 32 years and together they raised 7 wonderful children. She was a faithful member of St. Marys Catholic Church in Shelby, where she was a member of the Ladies Alter Society and was always involved with the church.  She was a loving mother, faithful wife and doting grandmother to her 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. In her later years, she occasionally worked at the public library in Shelby, Mississippi. In her early 70s, she attended Delta State University where she took several art and psychology classes. She was an avid reader and enjoyed reading at least two books a week, along with two daily newspapers. She was always up to date on the latest world news. Her kindness and warmth touched the lives of many friends and family.  She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Marshall and Amelia Tarsi Belenchia; loving husband, Albert John Pongetti; daughter, Linda Pongetti Edwards; son-in-law, Hiram Lee Roberts Burke; sister, Laura Radicioni; and brothers, Alex Belenchia, Paul Belenchia, Charlie Belenchia, Albert Belenchia, Marshall Belenchia, and Gene Belenchia.  

Elizabeth is survived by her children Carol Leggett (Terry) of Van Cleave, MS; Ronnie Pongetti of Chattanooga, TN; Gary Pongetti (Kim) of Cleveland, MS; Carolyn Burke of Cleveland, MS; Jimmy Pongetti (Debi) of Maumelle,AR; Stephanie Hubbell (Floyd) of Oxford,MS.  Elizabeth also leaves her beloved grandchildren Michelle Mullins, Mark Edwards, Jeff Edwards, Steven Leggett, Allen Pongetti, Teresa Pentecost, Rikki Rickels, Jeni Pongetti, Cole Hubbell and Hayden Hubbell, along with her great grandchildren Amanda Cockrell, Jack Mullins, Blake Edwards, Mark Edwards, Jr., Anna Carson Edwards, Tenhet Pongetti, Layla Ruth Pongetti, Annie James Pentecost, Henry Pentecost, and Lily Todd Rickels, and two great great grandchildren, Sonny Cockrell and Coco Cockrell.  She also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to St. Jude or the Shelby Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 539, Shelby, MS 38774.