Jerry "Big Daddy" Leon Scarbrough

Jerry L. Scarbrough, 75, of Nashville, Georgia and formerly of Knoxville, Tennessee, went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 22, 2019 at Fellowship Home in Nashville, Georgia following an extended illness. Jerry was born into the family of Thomas and Margaret Scarbrough during the height of WWII, and along with his nine siblings, enjoyed a simple and humble childhood. As a boy, Jerry spent much of his time working on the family farm and roaming the banks of Fort Loudon Lake where he developed his passion for largemouth bass fishing. Along with his older brothers, Jerry roved the hills of Concord, Tennessee where he realized his love for big game and small game hunting as well. During those years, the Scarbrough family attended Lake View Missionary Baptist Church. Under the ministry of Rev. Earl and "Mamaw" Joiner, when he was nine years old, Jerry trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized in Fort Loudon Lake as a public testimony of his faith in Christ.

On August 11, 1962, Jerry married his sweetheart, Grace Annette Taylor, also of Knoxville in a garden ceremony. For 41 years, Jerry faithfully kept his promise to love, honor, and cherish Grace which he did until her death in December 2003. As a result of their union, Jerry and Grace had four children: Taylor, Haline, Tom, and Timothy who did not survive birth. As the family grew, Jerry and Grace welcomed Carol Jean Byrd (Taylor's wife), Joseph Powers (Haline's husband) and Hummingbird St. Peter (Tom's wife) into the family. And in time, Jerry and Grace joyfully celebrated the births of their four grandchildren Emily and Zackery Scarbrough, as well as Leona and Jeffrey Powers. Before his death, Jerry lovingly embraced Nathan Morrison (Leona's husband) and Sean Lackey (Emily's husband) as the newest members of his family.

During his early years, Jerry worked for the White Store company. But in 1969, with the responsibility of a new family, Jerry went to work for Roadway Express as a local driver until his retirement in 1999. There, he became a member of Teamsters Union Local 519 in Knoxville, Tennessee and received many safety and achievement awards. As a result of his loyalty to Teamsters, he became Union Steward and staunchly defended his union brethren until his retirement. During his career, Jerry was approached many times to become a long-haul driver which would have improved his income significantly. But due to his intense commitment to his family, he chose to remain as a local driver so that he could instill his values into his children. As a result of his Roadway career, Jerry made many friends throughout Knoxville, Maryville, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. He esteemed those beloved relationships and spoke of them regularly throughout his retirement.

In June 2014, Jerry was afflicted with two strokes, and over the course of the last five years of his life, worked to overcome their debilitating effects. In early 2015, sensing that his journey may end sooner than expected, he chose to fulfill one of his bucket list items and moved to South Georgia. For forty years he had travelled there with Grace's family to visit relatives and fell in love with South Georgia's beauty and natural resources. As a "Georgia Cracker," Jerry enjoyed bass fishing, whitetail deer hunting, driving down dirt roads, attending church, and regularly meeting his friends at Second Time Around Auction where he playfully entertained them. And it was during that time that he earned the nickname "Big Daddy," a moniker that many people continue to use to this day when referring to him.

In 2018, after facing imminent death which required emergency surgery and a very lengthy stay in Intensive Care, Jerry chose to move to Fellowship Home in Nashville, Georgia where he received further rehabilitative services. In that environment, Jerry's personality continued to flourish as he demonstrated his passion for making new acquaintances, and along with them, discovered the silver lining of life. From childhood, Jerry playfully teased the people he loved and there was not a resident that he did not "pester," nor any who did not love him. Since his passing, there have been many stories told of how Jerry often went into resident's rooms and charmed them with his contagious enthusiasm because of his desire for them to make the best of their circumstances.

Jerry especially loved the staff at Fellowship Home. The 2014 strokes ultimately took most of the use of his right arm and hand, so much so that during his last year he needed extra assistance with some basic tasks. Yet, when encountering those who were there to provide encouragement and support, Jerry would mischievously engage them because he knew they all were committed to making his life better. Recently, it was said that Fellowship Home would never be the same without Jerry, but it is safe to assume that he believed that his life would not have been the same without their devotion to him. Truly, he loved them all. Jerry Scarbrough added value to the lives of everyone he touched. May his legacy live on and may he rest in peace.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Chapel of Berry Funeral home with a Celebration of Life Service to follow with Rev. Kenneth Seal, Dr. Scuddy Walker, & Rev. Taylor Scarbrough officiating. Music will be provided by Damascus Road. Graveside Services will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Edgewood Cemetery, 229 South Gallaher View Rd. Knoxville, TN. Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at www.berryfuneralhome.com