James W. Pankey

James Pankey, 78, a resident of Benton, passed away Monday, August 31, 2009 in a Chattanooga hospital. He was a member of Rock Creek Baptist Church. He retired from Maytag Corporation after 44 years of service. He was owner and operator of Pankey Dairy for 13 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Ressie Bishop Pankey and sister, Hazel Burris. He is survived by his wife, Sue Trentham Pankey; children, Larry Pankey and wife, Debbie, Jerry Pankey and wife, Cindy, Joe Pankey and wife, Rhonda, all of Benton, Judy Rogers and husband, Bill and Joan Hughes and husband, David, all of Cleveland; 7 grandchildren, Mitch, Jason and Emily Pankey, Paige Clayton, Jeannine Clark, Adam Hughes and Jamie Hicks; 9 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; brother, E.L. Pankey and wife, Louise of Benton; sisters, Ruth Godfrey, Myrtle Lawson and husband, Gene and Mildred McAlister and husband, Clyde, all of Cleveland; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home in Benton with Reverend Jackie Martin and Reverend David Hicks officiating. Internment will follow in Benton Memorial Gardens with Jason Pankey, Adams Hughes, Mitchell Pankey, Chris Fox, Curtis Clark, Charlie Bradford, Casey Stokes and Benjie Rogers serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Tyler Hicks, Matt Pankey, Clay Pankey and Micah Hicks. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 from 6:00-8:00 at the funeral home. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Pankey family guest book at www.higginsfuneral.com.