Jimmie Dee Bigham

On March 20, 1937, a dynamic individual by the name of Jimmie Dee Bigham was born in the small city of Marlin, Texas. He was the youngest of a family of ten, with three sisters and four brothers preceding him in birth–Doretha Hayes, Ruby Lee Jesse, Mildred Harris, Leon Bigham, Rufus Bigham, Melvin Bigham, and Edmond Mathis. There were many invaluable lessons that Jimmie would come to learn from his parents, Elijah and Gadson Bigham, Jr., but perhaps the oldest and most sage one was the power of the word of God. This profound knowledge moved Jimmie to give his life to Christ, and he ended up being baptized at New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at an early age.

Despite being the baby of the family, Jimmie’s tenacious spirit and hardworking disposition allowed him to develop a thick skin, which paved the road for him to be able to accomplish great things in his athletic career. Jimmie and the Phillis Wheatley Wildcats tore up the field in 1954 going on to be state champions in both track and football. During that same year, Jimmie also experienced a major development off of the field, in his personal life. A beautiful majorette, by the name of Ernestine Tinsley, captivated Jimmie’s attention, one day while at track practice, and the two high school sweethearts began a journey of love that would span the course of sixty five years. Adding to the excitement, the positive momentum continued in the following year, 1955, with the Wildcats’ successes garnering so much attention that Jimmie not only received an award commemorating the phenomenal job he had done as track captain, leading his teammates to victory on the 4x4 relay, but newspapers also published several articles showcasing Jimmie’s remarkable athletic feats in both track and football. Prairie View A&M University even awarded Jimmie a track scholarship, further validating the extraordinary achievements he amassed in the time he spent playing sports.

Following on the heels of his high school fame, Jimmie was drafted into the United States Army and decided to officially tie the knot with his love, Ernestine. Not long after asking for her hand in marriage, Jimmie became a member of Ernestine’s church–Mt. Horem Baptist Church–in 1958, where he remained a member for the entire duration of his life. The vivacious couple officially wedded on July 7 of that same year, eventually giving birth to five incredible children–Vickie (Prentice), Carol (Samuel), Jimmie, Jr. (Cornetta), Rodney, and Tracie (Lonicko). Throughout the time he was deployed, Jimmie served as a radio technician for the army and continued to do so up until he was discharged on April 18, 1961. Jimmie’s job changed from working on radios, while in the military, to working for Hunt-Wesson for several years, before moving on to be a steelman at ARCO, Atlantic Richfield Company. Once he decided to officially retire, Jimmie spent the rest of his days indulging in his favorite hobbies, hunting and fishing, and making memories with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. One such memory included Jimmie being inducted into the PVILCA, Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association, Hall of Fame on May 22, 2017, more than 50 years after his captivating high school performance.

Over the course of his lifetime, Jimmie donned many hats: son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, nephew, friend, godbrother (Shirley Honoré-McNeal), godfather (Jacque Tinsley), soldier, fisherman and athlete, to name a few. But regardless of the title, he will be remembered, by all those who were fortunate enough to experience his presence, as a devoted family man whose unwaveringly resilient disposition laid the foundation for his legacy to flourish.

Jimmie was surrounded by his loving family when he peacefully passed on June 7, 2023.

A visitation for Jimmie will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Green House International Church, 200 West Greens Rd., Houston, TX 77067. A funeral services will occur Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 200 West Greens Rd., Houston, TX 77067. A committal will occur Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Paradise Funeral Home & Cemetery North, 10401 W Montgomery Rd, Houston, TX 77088.