Sidney Dean Pinckney (6-19-21) service 6-25-21

In Memoriam – Feb. 25, 1932 to June 19, 2021
Sidney was born in the family home in Pinckney Colony, Bluffton, South Carolina, the fourth child of 10 children of William E. and Anna May Rivers Pinckney. A man with simple needs, strong character and unwavering faith, he lived many lives including farmer, sailor, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His greatest joy came from being outside, tending his garden, tinkering in his shop, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A true Southern Gentleman, he preferred to work quietly behind the scenes, never seeking recognition for his accomplishments.
In 1956 he met the love of his life, Billie “Faye” Jordan, while visiting another girl at Winthrop College. His intended date was running late and asked Faye to keep him company while she got ready. And, as they say, the rest is history. They married on Oct. 26, 1956 and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year.
After 22 years of proud service in the United States Coast Guard, Sidney retired in 1974 where he and his family returned to his beloved South Carolina Lowcountry. In 2009, he and Faye moved to Tennessee where he was able to continue to enjoy country views, cows, gardens, quiet nights, family visits and no traffic.
In addition to his wife Faye, Sidney is survived by three born children and three additional children who chose to join the family through marriage – Billy and Jamie Pinckney, Donna and Bob Brado and David and Gay Pinckney. These three families brought Sidney and Faye seven grandchildren who continue to be their light and hope. Known to each as “Pa,” they were always welcomed with an open door, a warm hug, a story from long ago and directions to the snacks. The family continues to grow with the addition of 12 great-grandchildren ranging in age from 24 to 2 months. They, too, are blessed to have spent many hours with Pa and Nan. Further, we were blessed to share our sweet “Pa” with countless other friends and family members as a surrogate father and grandfather through the years.
Sidney Pinckney will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Savannah on Friday, June 25, at 10 a.m. In keeping with Catholic traditions, The Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. prior to the funeral mass. Per his wishes, he will be cremated. Later this year, the family will take him home to Pinckney Colony for his final rest.
Sidney was fortunate to survive melanoma with wonderful doctors, surgeons, and experimental treatments. His family will be forever grateful to this team who saw beyond the disease and kept him with us for more than 27 years after his first diagnosis. He proudly stated he was a willing “guinea pig” for cancer trials. He was a walking miracle and a living testament to cancer research and funding.
The family thanks everyone for their many, many prayers for healing and peace. We intend to carry on his legacy with our commitment to God, Family and Country. We are blessed to continue to tell his stories for many years to come. May the Angels lead him into paradise. “All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.”
Please no live flowers or plants due to allergies. Instead, we encourage those who wish to honor him to donate in support of melanoma research at curemelanoma.org or the American Cancer Society to help continue the fight; the Huntington’s Disease Foundation (hdsa.org), a vicious disease that has touched many family members; or the charity of your choice.