Robert "Bob" Warren Pledger

Bob grew up in the Decatur area of Atlanta and was a graduate of Avondale High School where he was on the track team, an Eagle Scout, and Head of the Local, County and Metropolitan Hi-Y. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

In the summer of 1962, Bob met his wife of 58 years, (Jo) Anne Thompson Pledger, at Lake Rabun in the North Georgia Mountains. They were married on September 10, 1966, at the Winder First United Methodist Church.

After graduating from college, Bob worked for The Aluminum Company of America in Alcoa, TN. In 1971 he changed career paths and started his 48-year banking career with The First National Bank in Atlanta where he was instrumental in developing an innovative Corporate Cash Management program and leading a seminar-based national marketing campaign. As banks began to expand beyond county and state lines, Bob built on this expertise with Citizens & Southern National Bank of South Carolina (Columbia and Greenville), SunTrust Bank (Orlando) and Regions Bank (Anderson, SC). In 2009 he retired from Regions Bank as Head of the Upstate of South Carolina.

Bob loved staying busy and serving others. In his professional life he served on numerous community and church boards, as well as professional associations. At home he was always doing something in the garage or outside, volunteering for various causes or helping a neighbor (especially if it involved using a chain saw). His engineering training enabled him to fix just about anything. At social events, he was usually the first on the dance floor when there was a bluegrass band that he and Anne could clog to. He also enjoyed slower times like evening putt-putts on the lake with friends and family, a crackling fire in the fireplace, and summer trips to Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

In 2003, after spending summer vacations at the family log cabin on Lake Rabun for decades, Bob and Anne realized their dream of building their own home in the same cove as the family cabin and living full time on the lake. Bob loved nature and was happiest when he was outside. He immediately poured himself into trying to preserve the beautiful hemlock trees and served for years as Vice President of Save Georgia’s Hemlocks organization.

Bob was also a Lake Rabun Association officer and volunteer, giving back to Rabun County. He was not a passive leader. He organized and coordinated the purchase of a new fireboat, led and participated in numerous fundraisers, and volunteered in almost every clean up, and social event. In 2019 Bob was honored by the Lake Rabun Association with the Whippoorwill Award.

Bob is survived by his wife, Anne Thompson Pledger, their children Charles Robert Pledger (Laura), and Joseph Warren Pledger (Kelly) of Charlotte, NC; and their five grandchildren, including Scott Thomas Pledger, Carson Joseph Pledger, Rebecca Anne Pledger, Todd Edward Pledger and Lauren Elizabeth Pledger. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Carol Franks, his brother-in-law, George Thompson III (Shadie), his brother-in-law Thomas Norton Thompson (Connie), his step brother-in-law, Dwain Montgomery (Mary) and his step sister-in-law, Deedra Leach (Buddy). Bob has ten nieces and nephews plus his nephew George Thompson IV who predeceased him.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Save Georgia’s Hemlocks at savegeorgiashemlocks.org or to the Lake Rabun Foundation Fund, mail to NGCF, 340 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Suite 605, Gainesville, GA 30501-7701, or donate online to Lake Rabun Foundation Fund at ngcf.org.

Visitation will be held on January 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Winder, Georgia, followed by a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery. A Memorial Service and subsequent reception will be held at Lanier Village Estates on February 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.