Rev. James R. Pinkley, Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James R. Pinkley, Jr. accepted a Christmas Eve invitation to spend Christmas at Jesus’ house as he passed peacefully in his sleep at his apartment at Chesterfield Heights, Midlothian, VA. Jim entered the world on May 4,1927, in Tahoka, TX, the first born of James Rudolphus Pinkley, Sr. and Mary Lee Smelser Pinkley. He was later joined by a brother, Royce Eugene, and two sisters, Billie Louise and Mary Joyce. The young family struggled during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, moving to Amarillo. There they became involved with the Tabernacle Baptist Church and Jim, on Mother’s Day, 1936, made a public commitment to follow Christ. As he turned 18, with World War II still raging, Jim joined the Army and was sent to Ft. Knox, KY for basic training. While there he was injured in an automobile accident on the base and spend several months in the hospital and rehabilitation. As he recovered, he was invited by a friend to go to Louisville to attend a “home away from home” service offered by a local Methodist church. That Saturday night he met Elizabeth Noel and before they parted, they agreed to meet at her church, Baptist Tabernacle, the following morning for their Sunday services. Four months later, L. C. Ray, pastor at Baptist Tabernacle performed their wedding service. By the time he recovered fully from his injuries, WW II was over and he spent his final year in the service at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Following discharge he enrolled in Wayland Baptist College, Plainview, TX and graduated in 1951 with a BS degree. During their time in college, they were blessed with two children, James Noel and Marlis Lee. Following graduation, the family moved to Louisville, KY where Jim studied at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as served on staff at Baptist Tabernacle Church. Prior to graduation Jim was called as pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and the family moved to that community near Lawrenceburg, KY. He later served churches in Campton and Elkhorn City, KY prior to being asked to join the Kentucky Baptist Mountain Missions Team as a Director of Missions in Middleborough, KY. In 1972 Jim and Elizabeth were appointed by the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention as missionaries to Northwestern Ohio, where they worked with pastors in two local associations. Following retirement, Jim served an interim pastoral role in Sidney, Ohio before returning to Louisville, KY. While in Louisville he served as interim pastor in a number of churches, with a time at First Southern Baptist Church of Clarksville, IN being one of his most memorable experiences. In 2018 Jim moved to Virginia to be with his daughter and son-in-law and enjoyed many friendships and memorable experiences at Chesterfield Heights in Midlothian Virginia. In recent days the compassionate care of Capital Caring Hospice was greatly appreciated. Jim was preceded in death by Elizabeth who passed away in 2006, his second wife, Beverly Jones Pinkley, his brother Royce, sister Louise and son, Noel. He is survived by his daughter, Marlis Kruschwitz (Billy), their sons Curt (Erin), Maidens, VA and Jonathan, Richmond, VA; Noel’s wife, Patti Pinkley, Louisville, KY and Mary Alice Pinkley, mother of Noel’s sons: Stuart Pinkley, New York City, Bo Pinkley, Greenville, SC, Richard Pinkley (Laura), Spartanburg, SC. Also 8 great grandchildren, Emmett and Oliver Pinkley, Luke and Nicholas Pinkley, Will and Grace Pinkley, and Matthew and Nathan Kruschwitz. A memorial service will be held at First Southern Baptist Church, Clarksville, IN at a future date to be announced. Memorial gifts may be sent to that church, May Memorial Baptist Church, Powhatan, VA or Capital Caring Hospice, Richmond, VA. Owen Funeral Home – Jeffersontown, is entrusted with the arrangements.

Rev. James R. Pinkley, Jr.

May 4, 1927 - December 24, 2020

Obituary & Service

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Rev. James R. Pinkley, Jr.

May 4, 1927 - December 24, 2020

Obituary & Service

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