Pikeville, TN – Bishop William Pankey, born, November 16, 1940 in Pikeville, TN to the late Virgil and Iola Pankey, entered into eternal rest, January 17, 2020.
Preceded in death by brothers, Charles Edward, Steve Allen, James Herman, McArthur. and sister Pauline Pankey Bennett.
Graduated from Carver High School in Dayton Tennessee; attended Tennessee A & I State later known as TSU.
He accepted Christ early in life and was called into the ministry under the late Reverend Leola McClain of the Rockford Church of God.
Bishop Pankey served under the late Bishop Calvin L Drummond. He began pastoring the Cansler Street Church of God in 1975. Under Bishop Pankey, a new church was rebuilt and named “Praise Temple Holiness Church, The Church of, ” I Am That I AM.” He faithfully served for 43 years.
Rev. (as he was fondly called by everyone who knew him) trained as a tailor with Slomski Tailoring in Knoxville. He worked as a professional tailor for over 25 years at Carriage Cleaners.
Rev. never met a stranger and always had a kind word to say to everyone. Bishop Pankey was a true Shepard, Mentor, and Servant to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was also known for smelling good, looking good and for his Famous Fried Pork Skins; and enjoyed a good cup of coffee, a Pepsi and a King Leo candy cane.
“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor of the LORD.” He will be missed and cherished by his wife of 32 years, First Lady, Tami Joi Drummond Pankey; he leaves to cherish his memory, his Praise Temple Church family; brothers, Roy Lee Pankey, Claude Daniel (Lucinda) Pankey, Robert Leon (Mary) Pankey; father and mother-in-law, Cleveland and Norma Drummond, a host of nieces and nephews, and caregivers – Kelly Drummond, Jonald and Alberta Jones, Eric Drummond Jr, Jeffrey Drummond, Teagan Hiscock, Jeff Mathis, and Angela Askew.
Special thanks to, Reverend Johnnie Skinner, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, UT Hospice, Dr. James Griffin, Dr. Synthia Pearman, Specialty Select-Emory Road, Angie Shelton, Helen Ross McNabb Center, Derrick Washington, and Smith Chapel COGIC.
Visitation 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. (CST), Thursday, January 23, 2020 at Wheeler Addition Church of God, 221 Manufacturer Rd, Pikeville, Tennessee 37367.
Visitation 12 -6 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2020 at Praise Temple Holiness Church, 510 Cansler Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37921.
Family will receive friends, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2714 Brooks Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37914; funeral service, 11:30 a.m. Interment, Holly Hills South Cemetery (Berry’s Highland South) Knoxville, Tennessee. Arrangements by JARNIGAN & SON MORTUARY www.jarnigansmortuary.com