Irvin Jeryl Pinnell

Irvin Jeryl Pinnell, age 86 went to be with his Father in heaven on February 8, 2025. He was born on April 23, 1938 in Eastman, GA. He was the son of the late I.J. Pinnell and the late Lucile Pipkin Pinnell. The following beloved family members preceded him in death: brother, Leon Shaw Pinnell, paternal grandparents Levi Newton and Mattie Lou Hardy Pinnell, maternal grandparents John and Valley Pipkin, one grandson Mitchell Austin Pinnell, and brother-in-law Emory Fouche’ Parker.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Marian Parker Pinnell to whom he referred to as a special gift of God. He had three sons from this union and 2 daughter-in laws: Irvin Jeryl Pinnell, Jr, Stephen Michael Pinnell (Deborah Cochran Pinnell), and Lee Fouche’ Pinnell (Lisa Whitaker Pinnell). He had six grandchildren: Mallory McGraw (Marietta), Jennifer Simcox (Americus), Jonathan Daniel “J.D.” Pinnell (Americus), Sam Pinnell (Kennesaw), and Preston Shaw Pinnell (Lake Blackshear).

Other survivors include the following: lifelong friend Hal Smith and his wife Kay (Eastman), niece Vicki Pinnell Dutcher (Palm Coast, FL), cousin of Marian, Dianna Lanterman (Jim)(Cummins), and friends the late Les Caldwell and Shirley Torrance (Saline, MI).

Jeryl grew up and was an active member of Eastman Baptist Church. He moved his membership to First Baptist Church of Americus in 1960 and was a member of the Charlie Gibbs Sunday school class.

He graduated from Eastman High School in 1956. He was an avid athlete and lettered in 3 sports. Jeryl was voted most outstanding lineman in football, captain of the basketball team, and was pitcher on the baseball team. Other honors include: Boys State, Beta Club, most talented drummer in the band, most athletic, and best dancer.

Jeryl began college at South Georgia College. He played basketball (lost in the 2nd round of state playoffs) and pitched baseball for Coach Bobby Bowden. That team went on to win the state championship.

He was given a scholarship the next year to pitch baseball at the University of Georgia. Jeryl lettered in baseball for 2 years under the leadership of Coach Jim Whatley. One of his teammates and friend was the legendary Fran Tarkenton. There is a bronze plaque on Foley field honoring Jeryl’s years playing at UGA. He and his friend Hal Smith were included in the book “Billy and the Boys” written by L.H. Duke. (Pages 77,78, 83 & 84).

Jeryl graduated from UGA with a pharmacy degree in 1960. While in school, he was a member of the Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity. He served as Regent of the chapter his senior year. 

He moved to Americus on June 26, 1960 and began working at Clinic Drug Store. He would later go on to own it. He worked as a pharmacist there for 64 years.

Jeryl was a member of the Americus Kiwanis Club. He served on the board of directors for many years. He was president of the club from 1989-1990.

He loved taking motorcycle trips with his wife, Marian on their Harley and Goldwing. They traveled all 50 states and much of Canada where they met their friends Les Caldwell and Shirley Torrence. 

He continued in sports all of his life. He was successful at bowling, running, and tennis. He achieved a ranking of #3 in the state in singles and #2 in doubles with his late partner, Pierce Winningham. He and Jimmy Thaxton won a state championship in doubles at Jekyll Island. One of his happiest moments was winning the 1988 mixed doubles state championship in Macon with his wife Marian. Jeryl also won tennis tournaments with all three of his sons, Jeryl, Stephen, and Lee.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Tuesday, February 11, at First Baptist Church between the hours of 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. A funeral service will begin immediately after at 11:00 AM. The family will have a private burial that will take place following the service at Oak Grove Cemetery. 

To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mr. Irvin Jeryl Pinnell.