MR. CARL E. PINKSTON

Elder Carl Edward Pinkston, was born on August 21, 1950 and raised by his loving mother, Mrs. Minnie Lee King Pinkston who preceded him in death on December 25, 1967.

Carl grew up in Madison, IL and graduated from Madison Sr. High School in 1968.

After graduating, Carl enlisted in the United States Navy where he served 2 years. His time in the navy took him to many destinations including Rhoda, Spain and Glasgow Scotland.

After his discharge from the military Carl returned to his home town and worked different jobs selling insurance and other odd jobs until he found the job that he truly enjoyed doing.

That was working with the Illinois Department of Transportation in St. Clair Co., IL. Cart came up through the ranks in the Highway Maintenance Department up to a Maintenance Supervisor at the Bowman Shed in East St. Louis, IL before transferring to the Columbia, IL shed. Carl then transferred as supervisor to the EPV (emergency patrol vehicle) department, until he retired after 31 years of service.

While working, Carl also continued his education by attending classes at State Community College in 1976. He was a dedicated and determined student which did not go unnoticed by the educational system. Carl was nominated for the "Who's Who Among Students in Americas Junior Colleges" In 1976-77.

In 1976, Carl met the true love of his life, Eva Devine Nash and her two childrenhe loved, nurtured and beamed with joy, love and pride when they called him Daddy. His son, Dante Nash and his daughter, Ayvonjanai Nash. On June 9, 1978 Carl and Eva were united in Holy Matrimony. God blessed their marriage of 47 years.

In 1995 Carl and Eva became members of the Rush Memorial Church of the Nazarene under the guidance of Rev. Walter Shackelford Jr. In 1996, Carl answered his Call to Gods Ministry. He immediately began the long years of studies for ordination to become an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene under the mentoring of Elder Carlton Heyliger, Pastor of Edgemont Grace Church of the Nazarene. In July, 2009, Carl was Ordained into the Church of the Nazarene family of Elders.

Juring his Pastoral years, Carl, Eva and a few of his members became servitudes in the community by working alongside Paulyn Snider, Rev. Anthony Vinson and Joe Hubbard

forming the Continuum of life Care Center where they went out onto the streets feeding, witnessing to and caring for the homeless and less fortunate citizens of East St. Louis.

In 2016, Rev. Shackelford retired from the pulpit and Carl was installed as Elder of Rush Memorial until he retired from the pulpit in 2018 when he began to have medical issues that had become a major priority in his health. Elder Pinkston continued his ministry through Zoom where he continued to teach and preach the true word of God until March of 2023 when his health began to seriously began to decline.

Carl then became confined to the care of nursing facilities from 2023 until his departure from this world.

On Friday, October 24, 2025 surrounded by family, friends and loved ones, Carl was released from suffering and pain on this earth and received into the Kingdom of God and the loving arms of Jesus Christ, his Savior.

Carl leaves to cherish his loving memory, his wife Eva Devine Nash Pinkston, his son Dante

T. Nash, his daughter, Ayvonjanai "Marie" Nash. His loving and devoted Nephew and his wife, Andre Devine Sr, and Eutoria Reed Devine, his Niece Vontarra Devine. His Uncle, Charles King, Bastrop, LA. His sisters and brothers in Christ Muriel Shackelford, Carrie Nevills, Cheryl Totsch, Larry & Laura Gray, Myron Word and Dion & Valerie Miller. Claude & Dianne Hubbard, Carl treasured the Mentorship of his Fellow Elders; Elder Jay Shoff, Elder Luisa Mendoza, Elder Russel Brewer, and Elder Rita Briggs, Brother Stuart Leach and Myron Word.

During Carls journey in rehabilitation, he was cared for by the most amazing family of care givers we could have ever been blessed to be with at the Cedar Ridge Rehabilitation and nursing Facility in Lebanon, IL Not only did they care for Carl, they embraced and cared for our family as well. We are forever grateful to you Cedar Ridge. God bless you all.

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