Joe Pledger

Funeral service for Joe Pledger, 73, of Timpson will be held at 3:00pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Taylor Funeral Home with Bro. Ronnie Sowell officiating.  Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5:00pm - 7:00pm on Monday, June 27, 2022 at Taylor Funeral Home.

Joe was born and raised in Shelby County, a place he forever called home.  He was taught the importance of Christ and family from a very young age and lived that life for all to witness.  He was a man of many talents and became skilled in most of them.  Joe was a hard worker and took every challenge bestowed upon him with enthusiasm and determination.  He never worried about things because as he saw no reasoning in that.  His carefree attitude and endless joy were one of his most adored traits as well as his zest for life and love of people.  Joe was the epitome of a “good man”.  He worked to provide for his family and always made time to enjoy hunting, fishing or gathering with close friends for a day that was sure to include many hours of fun and laughter and an occasional competitive card game or game of “42”.  Joe’s giving nature allowed him to help those around him.  If anyone needed a carpenter, he brought his tools; if they needed a lightbulb changed, he loaded his ladder; if someone needed a hug to make them feel better, he was the first to wrap his arms around them.  Joe never met a stranger and took great pleasure in becoming friends with anyone he came across.  He was honorable and genuine; honest and loyal and he blessed more lives than he ever knew.  He brought a smile to your face and a moment of happiness everywhere he went.

When Joe was a young man, he spent many nights skating at Happy Junction, along with his siblings and friends.  Once, while he was rolling around showing off his abilities, he caught the eye of a beautiful young lady.  Sherry Self found herself watching in awe of his talents and when he asked her to skate with him, she did just that.  That night, at Happy Junction skating rink, a bond formed that led to a beautiful love story over the next 51 years, filled with joy and happiness.  Joe and Sherry began their journey together, and after the birth of their boys, they found themselves settling in Timpson.  He built their house, with loving hands and a determination to make it perfect for his family.  He was the husband and father that most only wish for.  Joe took his family camping and fishing and taught the boys to be men.  He instilled in them that you always say, “I love you” and you mean it.  He showed them the love of Christ by living a devoted life.   He taught them how to live life, by living life right in front of them.  Joe was very proud of Stacy and Eric and when they met and married their soulmates, and he was able to feel the love of daughters and then grandchildren calling him Papaw, he knew his life was complete.  He spent his days smiling, laughing and allowing the simple things in life to be what kept him going.  He loved children, even other people’s children and was sure to have candy or gum for each of them and this made him happier than it did the kids.  His own grandchildren were his pride and joy and he loved them endlessly.  Joe will forever be missed by those around him, but his memories will carry on in the lives of those he touched in his lifetime because…we were all blessed to know Joe.

Joe is survived by his best friend and wife of almost 52 years, Sherry Self Pledger; sons, Stacy Pledger & wife, April and Eric Pledger & wife, Raquel; grandchildren, Dustin & Gracie Pledger and Kayson, Kaymin & Bowen Pledger; sisters, Cathy Windham & husband, Leon and Jean Gibbs & husband, Dwane; brothers, Roy Pledger & wife, Betty and Don Pledger & wife, Vickie; mother-in-law, Darlene Self and sister-in-law, Wanda Pledger.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Milton Elvert and Grace Ramsey Pledger; brother, Mike Pledger and father-in-law, Bud Self.

Serving as pallbearers wlll be Larry Ramsey, Keven Molloy, Gerald Stamps, Chris Rhodes, David Thomas, Shawn Mason, Zack Molloy, Asher Molloy and Nick Walker.  Honorary pallbearers will be Dustin Pledger, Bowen Pledger, Roy Pledger, Don Pledger, Duane Gibbs and Leon Windham.

A special thanks goes out to Tammy Jacobs and the staff of Affinity Hospice for the compassionate and dedicated care shown to Joe and his family during his final days. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s research hospital, an organization that was dear to Joe’s heart.