Deacon Jerome Henry Pirtle

PIRTLE, Deacon Jerome Henry - Age 84, passed away Friday, February 7, 2014 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2014 at New Zion Baptist Church, 1601 Chippewa St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Jacob Hawkins officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Saturday. Deacon Pirtle will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 noon-8 p.m. Friday. Deacon Jerome Henry Pirtle was born August 10, 1930 in Jackson, Tennessee to Jerome and Mariah (Ingram) Pirtle. He was the youngest of 4 children. Jerome graduated from Merry High School in Jackson, TN, “Class of 1948.” On August 26, 1951, he married Luenell (Trice) Pirtle to this union they were blessed with two sons, Jerome Jr., and Clayton. Jerome continued his education to receive his Bachelor degree in 1954 from Lane College in Jackson, TN, where he was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He completed his Master degree in 1971 from Eastern Michigan University. Jerome worked as an educator for 30 years in Covington, Tennessee and Beecher School District in Flint, Michigan. During his free time, Jerome enjoyed playing solitaire, computer games, completing projects around the house and landscaping. His love of landscaping fueled his lawn care business for over 30 years. Jerome was alos a dedicated member of New Zion Baptist Church for 48 years, where he served as the Co-chairman of the Deacon Board, and General Treasurer. He was also a part of other ministries such as: Voices of New Zion, Mission Union, The Challengers, and Sunday School Class #9. His work within the church led him to becoming a member of the local Gideon Chapter, where he shared his love of scriptures with the community. He is survived by his wife, Luenell; 2 children, Jerome Jr. (Judy) of Knoxville, TN and Clayton (Nevell) of Clarkston, MI; 3 grandchildren, Wonetha Hall of Tampa, FL, Ericka of Knoxville, TN and Jerome C. “J.C.”; 4 great-grandchildren, Eric of Knoxville, TN, Mariyah, Josiah and Janiyah; niece, Hildria Richmond; nephews, James Hoyle of Bakersfield, CA, Arthur Lee Morris of Atlanta, GA; host of great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and friends. Deacon Pirtle was preceded in death by his parents, Jerome and Mariah; sisters, Laura Hoyle and Susie B. Hightower; and brothers, James and Robert Woods.

Deacon Jerome Henry Pirtle

August 10, 1929 - February 7, 2014