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Imogene “Imy” Allen Pinckard, age 100, a lifelong resident of Troy, Alabama, passed away peacefully Monday, November 2, 2020, at home. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery with Reverend Andrew Knick and brother Johnny Witherington officiating.

One hundred years. It all started in January of 1920, the eldest of three pushed into the world strong and held a long, steady pace until her very end.

Affectionately known as Mrs. Imy (pronounced long and drawn with an emphasis on the I) by her Southern comrades, she shaped many minds and hearts and influenced positive growth in her community. She graduated from Troy High School and Troy State Teachers College and pursued graduate work at the University of Alabama. She taught English in the school systems of Geneva and Pike counties, country schoolhouses of Jay, FL, and amongst the astute of Troy State University.

On December 29,1943, she and Ray Pinckard were married and departed on a honeymoon to New Orleans to cheer on the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl and savor shoe sole pastries. They traveled on to spend a brief stint in Corpus Christi and Kingsville, Texas, while he served in the U.S. Naval Air Corps. They returned to once again call Troy home, plant new roots, and raise their family.

She and Ray were founding members of Southside Baptist Church where she was a faithful and dutiful servant as a Sunday school teacher for more than 50 years.

For Mrs. Imy it was all about a good foundation. She emphasized the importance of being mannerly, prim, ambitious, spiritual, composed, and of course, always with good grammar and a flattering shade of lipstick. Mrs. Imy long cheered-on Alabama football and Braves baseball, read and sometimes reread all the lines of all the published Danielle Steel and Nicholas Sparks novels, and even outlived some of the reincarnated characters on her favorite soap opera Days of Our Lives.

So much of her life and it’s invaluable lessons could be told and learned right through the contents of her kitchen. She endured the Great Depression, evident by an impressive collection of Cool Whip and soft spread tubs, recycled ziplock bags, and crinkled strips of salvaged foil; she was a survivor and mender and there wasn’t much that couldn’t be healed or counseled over a sip of a fizzy Coca-Cola Classic and a peanut butter cracker; she credited her longevity to a daily glass of orange juice and sliver of crispy bacon; she brought in the luck of each new year with black eyed peas, spiced pickled peaches, and a strong prayer; and she could always remind you of where you came from over a spread of homemade fried chicken, field peas, creamed corn, cracklin’ bread, and fresh sliced tomatoes.

In the same words she used to make a promise of love to Ray so many years ago, the influence of her gumption and fortitude and fiery spirit will inspire those who knew and loved her … from now on.

Mrs. Pinckard is survived by her children, Bennett “Benny” Ray Pinckard (Krissy) of Troy and Jeanne Pinckard Bozeman (Steve) of Andalusia, AL; grandchildren, Todd Bozeman (Jamie) of Birmingham, AL, Brad Bozeman of Birmingham, AL, and Rae Pinckard Everett (Dustin) of Dothan, AL; great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn Bozeman, Raelyn Everett, and Eva Everett; step-great-grandchildren, Max Callahan, Tripp Dewees, and Cooper Dewees; brother, Dr. William D. Allen of Troy; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Gussie Ray Pinckard; infant daughter, Pamela Pinckard; parents, William Edward Allen and Willie Belle Gibson Allen; and sister, Edna Allen Brunson.

The family wishes to extend many heartfelt thanks to her dedicated caregivers and the staffs of Encompass Hospice and Southern Health Associates. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her honor to the Southside Baptist Church Building Fund (522 South Brundidge Street Troy, AL 36081).

Friends and family can sign the guestbook online at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Pinckard family.