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Taylor Funeral Home of Gibson announces the death and funeral services of Mr. Jimmie Evans Pennington, age 85, of Gibson (formerly of Carnesville) who passed away March 12, 2025, at his home.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 17 at 2:00 PM.  In the Sheppard Memorial Chapel of Taylor Funeral Home Gibson with Rev. Ed Chance officiating family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Graveside services with military honors will be in the Wrens Memorial Gardens.

Jimmie was born September 25, 1939, in Matthews, Georgia, the son of Ralph Evans Pennington and Neva Williams Penington.  He grew up on a farm in Haddock, Georgia and was a graduate of Jones County High School. After high school, Jimmie attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for two years then transferred to the University of Georgia, graduating from UGA with a degree in Agriculture.   In 1963 he was drafted into the United States Army where he served until 1965. Upon discharge from the Army, he began a 34-year career with USDA's Rural Development (formerly Farmers Home Administration) which provides financing for farmers, affordable housing in rural areas, and assists municipalities by providing loans and grants.   His first position with Rural Development was Assistant County Supervisor in the Hartwell Office where he worked for one year before being promoted to the position of County Supervisor of the Carnesville office which served Franklin, Banks, and Stephens counties.  During this time, he was instrumental in expanding Carnesville's water line.    In 1981, he advanced to the Farmer Programs Division in the State Office in Athens where he worked for three years before being promoted to District Director of District II, supervising offices in Athens, Blairsville, Carnesville, Clarkesville, Covington, Hartwell, Gainesville, Greensboro, and Winder.  Through his hard work and dedication to the agency, Jimmie changed the lives of countless rural Georgians.

As a boy, Jimmie spent his time working on his family farm.  That humble beginning cultivated a profound love of gardening which resulted in him having multiple gardens every year for decades.  He was a 50-year member of the Carnesville Lions Club, a member of the Carnesville United Methodist Church, and an avid golfer.

Jimmie is survived by his wife, of 52 years Andrea Kent Pennington of Gibson; daughters, Amy Pennington of Evans, Carla Pennington Day (Michael) of North Augusta, SC; grandsons, Luke Day and Sam Day; brother, Dr Jack W. Pennington (Joan) of Gray several nieces and nephews.  The family would like to thank Allay Hospice and caregivers: Loistine Baker, Jackie Hammonds, Debra Heacock, Alice Moss, and Dexter McGee.

Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Care of Gibson is in charge of arrangements.