Funeral service for Jimmy Pendergrass, age 76, of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at Higgins Funeral Home with Dr. Jon Hathcock and Bro. Ian Bloxham officiating. Burial will follow in the Flintville Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 11:00 AM until the time of service on Wednesday at Higgins.
Jimmy was born on August 29, 1946, in Fayetteville, TN, to the late Ernest Joseph Pendergrass, Sr., and Mary Nelle Halcomb Pendergrass. He was a 1964 graduate of Flintville School. Mr. Pendergrass was a member of the Fayetteville First Baptist Church. He passed away on October 9, 2022, at Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care in Huntsville, AL.
Jimmy had a servant’s heart. He served in the US Army from 1966-1969, during the Vietnam War era. Mr. Pendergrass was part of the 30th Artillery Brigade and worked with the Air Defense Missile weapons systems. His primary responsibilities were to provide security protection from the enemy for the Fifth Special Forces Group Southeast Asia, United States Third Marine Division Pacific Army Command, and the United States Air Force, Reconnaissance Air Surveillance Aircraft, at Kedena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.
After Jimmy’s military service, he returned to Lincoln County and focused on his education. Mr. Pendergrass was a graduate of Martin College (now UT Southern) in Pulaski, TN; Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, TN (1972-1974) with his bachelor’s degree and earned graduate hours towards his master’s degree; University of Alabama at Huntsville, AL (1974), and attended Vanderbilt University (1987-1988) where he took courses in US department of Justice on building correctional facilities in the State of Tennessee. Jimmy also attended MTSU (2003-2004) taking aerospace courses.
Mr. Pendergrass touched many lives through his teaching career. He was instrumental in getting Motlow State Community College, Fayetteville Campus here. Mr. Pendergrass taught at several Lincoln County Schools. Jimmy loved to read and keep up with local government. Mr. Pendergrass served as Lincoln County circuit court clerk for 12 years. He served on many boards including the Elk Regional Refuse Resource Authority (1986-1990), the building of Hwy 64 from Memphis to Chattanooga (1986-1990), Lincoln County Community Education Committee to build the Fayetteville Motlow Campus (1988-1990) and proudly served as Lincoln County Executive (1986-1990).
Survivors include Jimmy’s beloved wife of 50 years, Sarah Bledsoe Pendergrass; son, Michael (Donna) Pendergrass; and daughter, Melissa (Lenton) Burt all of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Ava AnnMarie Pendergrass, Lola MaryGrace Burt, and Channing Leo Burt; God-daughter, Madison Olivia Quick; brothers, Joe (Marie) Pendergrass, and Jerry (Jane) Pendergrass; brothers-in-law, Jesse Bledsoe, Dr. Louis (Barbara) Bledsoe, Tommy (Shirley) Bledsoe, and Edward (Kay) Bledsoe; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Always Endure (House of Hope), P.O. Box 904, 2011 Hall Drive, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334, or First Baptist Church (Youth Department), P.O. Box 623, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Jimmy Pendergrass.