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Jerry Pullen Obituary
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mae and Doc Pullen of Anniston, AL; his sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Harold Vovilla of Saranac, MI; his brother-in-law, Ted New of Lincoln, AL; and brother-in-law, Bill Downey of Huntsville, AL.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years and 8 months, Martha Waldrop Pullen; and three sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry (Lisa) Pullen, Knoxville, TN, Joe (Debbie) Pullen, Rainbow City, AL, and James (Emma) Pullen, Brandon, MS; grandchildren, Rebekkah (Patrick) Dunford, Jackson (Terry) Pullen, Jared Pullen, Janie Pullen, Sara Pullen, Sadie Pullen; two great-grandchildren, Landon and Lilah Dunford; sister, Joyce New of Lincoln, AL; sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Downey of Huntsville AL; brother-in-law, Pat (Hilda) Waldrop of Athens, AL; and a host of very special nieces, nephews and numerous beloved cousins.
Jerry Pullen was born March 19, 1931, in Anniston, Alabama. He graduated from Anniston High School, where he played football and baseball. In 1951, he volunteered for the Korean War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star in combat action. Upon returning from Korea, he enrolled and graduated from Jacksonville State University with a teaching degree in Math. On August 27, 1955, he married the love of his life, Martha Waldrop, at Union Hill UMC. He then taught high school at Hokes Bluff for one year before accepting a job at Republic Steel, where he would remain for 23 years. In 1982, he was appointed to the Gadsden City School Board, where he served until 1999. In 1983, he returned to the classroom at Southside High School, where he enjoyed 16 years with the wonderful students and faculty whom he loved dearly.
Above all else in life, he placed his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and loved God with his whole heart, while always loving others above himself. He was a member of Bellevue and Union Hill United Methodist churches, where he loved teaching Sunday School and greatly loved his church family.
Due to the current pandemic crisis, a celebration of life will be planned as soon as arrangements can be made.
Memorials may be made to Eagle Rock International Kids, P.O. Box 570, Attalla, AL 35954.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Pullen
James Pullen
July 12, 2020
There will be a Memorial Service for Jerry Pullen Saturday July 18th at 10:30 it will be at Bellevue United Methodist Church Gadsden Alabama
2005 SHS Reunion. Mr Pullen loved ALL of his students!
Slade Miller
May 5, 2020
Amy Reaves
May 4, 2020
To the Pullen and Waldrop families, I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Jerry was a kind and gentle man, with a wonderful heart and soul. Jerry was a great friend and historian. I miss him every day. Love, thoughts and prayers.
Vance & Remona Roberson
April 24, 2020
Dear Mrs. Pullen, Jerry, Joey, James, & Family,
Remona and I grieve with you over your loss and are praying that your strong faith, family, friends, & happy memories will sustain you today and in the days to come.
Mr. Pullen was a very unique man..always smiling, cheerful, reassuring, humble, patient, kind, compassionate, grateful, resourceful, interested in others, made family connections, great listener, great memory, common sense/perspective, well read, knowledgeable about wide range of topics, loved sports, varied life experiences, positive attitude/outlook because of his deep faith, persevered through adversity, loved/served his Lord, church, family, friends, and community, was a giver, was a beacon..a light house to all who knew him. He is a great example to all of us..he ran his race with endurance..he finished well..his light lives on in each of you..what a life well lived..what a legacy!
Love,
Vance, Remona, & Family
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Donna Sturkie
April 23, 2020
I am one of many who were truly blessed to know Jerry Pullen. He was one of the finest people placed in my path in Gadsden. He was a caring, positive, and upbeat personality who reflected the brotherly love of his Savior through good times and bad. I never saw him without a smile and a kind word. I expect Jerry will quickly earn a greeter position in Heaven. See you again, my friend!
Kayla Autwell, LPN
April 22, 2020
Mr. Pullen was one of a kind. He was the most caring, respectful, kind hearted man I have EVER met. He always put others before himself. Every time I would see him, he would compliment me and then say I am preparing for my final exam with a huge smile on his face. Anyone that was lucky enough to know this man would agree, God definitely welcomed him with open arms. I'll miss you always!!
April 21, 2020
He will be missed. We loved getting together with all of you during those many years. Our love to all the family. Dennis and Laura
Slade Kilgo
April 21, 2020
Mr. Pullen will always be remembered as one of our favorite teachers. He was always encouraging and loving to his students. His positive attitude, smiles, and high fives were something we all look forward to at school. Every election I am reminded of the day he walked me over to register to vote. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy.
Craig Hess
April 21, 2020
His son was the special teams coach at Alabama when Ray Perkins was there. He got us tickets to the regular season finale between Alabama and Florida in basketball. We were there for a school newspaper conference with Mrs. Hatley. Derrick McKey tipped in a missed shot from Mark Gottfried at the buzzer to win the game and secure the regular season championship for Wimp Sanderson. It was 1986. He went with us on the trip. A beautiful person.
April 21, 2020
Jerry was one of the finest Christian men that I have ever known. He always had a smile and would ask bout my oldest daughter, who had been one of his students. I admired the way he lived his faith rather than just talked about it. My prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.
Sam Puckett
Dana Snyder
April 21, 2020
Your smile was always welcoming. Thank you for truly caring about your students and keeping up with them over the years. You will be missed. Prayers for Martha and your family.
Joanna Neal
April 21, 2020
Blessed to have known Jerry Pullen, one of the finest. He made every day special at Southside High School. Wonderful memories to cherish in my heart., Pullen Family, especially Martha, I am praying for you.
Slade Miller
April 20, 2020
My heart has been heavy since yesterday. Today I held back tears reminiscing about Mr Pullen. On my 18th birthday, he signed me up for selective service and registered me to vote. Mr Pullen was my favorite teacher in all my years of school. He always encouraged me and showed me unconditional love as he did to ALL of his students. He used to say "Slade you're like Stone Wall Jackson-a day late and a dollar short but keep trying!" He inspired me to never give up no matter what obstacles were in my way. I remember him writing my favorite college football team-the University of Miami-a recommendation to recruit me my senior year. He really genuinely cared about each of us. I still remember him high fiving me after winning the talent show at SHS and saying "I don't like rap but you're good at it and I'm proud of you". Always positive and encouraging. I can still hear him saying "Alright!" and giving us all high fives as we walked in his room. He made a special appearance at our 10 year reunion. That made the night complete! He gave me a hug and we got a picture together. I can't say enough about Mr Pullen and how much he meant to me and everyone he influenced with his love and kindness. He made me want to show people the same kind of encouragement and love he showed everyone. I love you Mr Pullen. You will live in my heart the rest of my life. Until we meet again in Heaven with Jesus.
Angie Mabrey
April 20, 2020
My memory of Mr. Pullen is usually just one of general joy, encouragement, and positivity. The specific memory I have is of one Sunday night after a fellowship when everyone was cleaning up. I begged/bugged him to let me help put up the tables-the old, heavy, folding tables. I dropped it on myself and broke my toe. Mr. Pullen felt so bad that he brought me six silver dollars wrapped in aluminum foil. I will never forget him taking responsibility for something that wasn't his fault yet making it better anyway. Loved him because he was so lovable! God bless.
Tracy Handley
April 20, 2020
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
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