Paul Freeman Pemberton

Paul “Pinkie” Freeman Pemberton, 84, of Augusta, Georgia peacefully passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023, at University Hospital. Pinkie was born on June 26, 1938 in Corning, Arkansas, and grew up on a farm in Charleston, Missouri. Growing up on a farm for Pinkie was an adventure where he learned life traits that he held and passed on to others, such as his love for how things work (and more importantly how things are fixed) and the outdoors. As many of you may wonder, the nickname Pinkie was gifted to him by his high school football teammates after his mother’s laundry mishap when she decided it prudent to wash his football uniform with something red, thus creating a new pink color for the big game. Taking his new name in stride, he liked it and decided to keep it and since that point everyone knew him as the same. After graduating high school, Pinkie enlisted in the United States Army, putting his farm skills to work, as a mechanic for over 20 years and honorably served our country throughout the world, including two tours in Vietnam and another in Korea. Pinkie was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze stars, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 4 Good Conduct Metals, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. During his time in the Army, Pinkie met his lovely wife, Lee, and the two recently celebrated over 50 years of marriage. After retirement from the Army, Pinkie once again put his mechanical skills to work and entered the refractory business, eventually fully retiring in 2010. After retirement, Pinkie and Lee enjoyed spending time with family and travelling. Pinkie especially enjoyed bass fishing, helping his friend Charlie Smith on the farm, and restoring his antique trucks (only GMC and Chevrolet of course). For Pinkie, there was simply no chore that could not be accomplished, problem that could not be solved, or bass that was not caught. But unfortunately, the abomination known as cancer took his life. Pinkie leaves behind his wife Lee, mother Marie Pemberton, ten children, eighteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, three sisters, and two very special canine companions – Abby and Daisey. What a legacy! A celebration of life will be held Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., at Chance & Hydrick Chapel, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, Georgia with Pastor Terry Taylor officiating. The family will receive guests one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation at https://glioblastomafoundation.org. Chance and Hydrick Funerals Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, GA 30906

Paul Freeman Pemberton

June 26, 1938 - June 2, 2023