Vernon Lee Pinkston

Born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 24, 1941, to William Lyinell Pinkston and Annie Lucille Higgins Pinkston. After WWII ended his family moved to Shelby County Tennessee where he grew up. He graduated from Nicholas Blackwell High School in Bartlett Tennessee in 1960. He joined the US Navy in 1961 during the Vietnam War. He served on board a Naval ship that transported much needed supplies, foods, and mail for the US Navel Fleets that cruised the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. After four years Vernon returned to his family in Shelby County, Tennessee. His father was ill. When His father died in 1965 the US Armed forces honored Mr. William Lyinell Pinkston by burying him in the National Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee. For his services during WWII in the Hawaiian Islands. Vernon Pinkston met Betty Jean Vickrey in 1968 at a VFW dance and they married in 1969. Vernon and Betty Pinkston buried Vernon's Mother Annie in 1969. That same year Vernon was working for the St. Joseph Hospital at the time. He applied for a job at the Millington Naval Air station and was accepted. He became a fire man 1970 at the base. Vernon and family built a home in Bartlett Tennessee. Vernon retired in 1995 as a fireman at Millington. He did odd Jobs around Bartlett until he became ill in 2004. Vernon and family joined Bellevue Baptist church in 1970. Vernon Served the Lord at Bellevue Church as a deacon and served many years in the church. Vernon was blessed with many friends and family. He was a Mason and member of the VFW of Bartlett. Also, he was a bowler: He loved to play cards such as canasta and pinochle. He was a member of the Bartlett senor center. He loved to read Zane Gray and western and science fiction books. Vernon Leaves his son Donald Bruce Vickrey and wife Robbie and their children Laura Bickner and her children Grand and Eli and grandaughter Rachel Boomer. He leaves two daughters Pamela Davis of Memphis and Melody Lynn Pinkston of Bartlett Tennessee. Vernon Leaves three sisters Ernestine Kitchin, Nellie Ann Miller of Memphis Tennessee, and Jeanette Marie Wills of Oswego, New York and a brother Steven Allen Pinkston of Oswego, New York, and his mother's sister Goldie Hodgman who lives with her daughter Diana of Waterville, Maine. Vernon Lee Pinkston was a Giant of a Man . From Heaven the Lord sent Vernon to be a friend, loved by many. He was called home by heavens light on December 26,2022. Vernon had seen the light and followed it his whole life. He served his country with pride in the US Navy and in Millington as a fireman. He resides in Heaven now and is still serving the Lord.

( If I left any one out, please forgive me. Vernon never would - His Daughter Melody and his sisters Ernestine and Nell. Amen )