Beverly Johnson Pigg

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The bright spirit of Beverly Johnson Pigg made its flight heavenward in the late afternoon/early evening of Monday, May 27th, Memorial Day, shortly after being prayed over by her family of friends gathered at Brookdale Columbia.

Long time resident of 815 Academy Lane, Beverly Pigg was a native of the Columbia she loved. Daughter of Edgar Ellis Johnson, Jr. and Lucille Cook Johnson, she was born on October 5th, 1928 and an active participant in her church, in community activities and state-wide organizations through-out her life.

She attended Columbia Central High serving on the Student Council; was a cheerleader, a member of the basketball team, and graduated 12th in her class of 1946. Just before entering Vanderbilt University in the fall, she knew her life was about to change when she met “an officer and a gentleman” in a blue U.S Air Force uniform at a Cotillion dance.

By her own description, Lt. William H. Pigg, Jr. was no ‘average boy’ but a good-looking, gentle and magnificent man. Beverly entered her freshman year at Vanderbilt pledging Delta Delta Delta sorority while “Dub”, a member of Sigma Chi, completed his senior year to graduation. They mere married the following fall of 1947.

To say Beverly Pigg was ‘full of fun’ is likely an understatement. She enjoyed life, loved to play golf and was a fierce competitor. Since Dub’s primary sport was tennis, they decided to take up each other’s sport, becoming a talented team at both mixed doubles tennis as well as couples golf. By 1962, she was tapped to serve on the board of the WTGA, Women’s Tennessee Golf Association, traveling the state to compete in tournaments. As a member of Graymere Club’s Women’s Golf she enjoined good friends; Lucille Hamilton, Joy McCormick, Ida Lee Holman to travel/play with her.

By 1993, she was primed and ready for what Bev Pigg would call “the most important tournament she would ever play” - The Rosemary Rippey Tourney Trophy was being offered for the first time in the memory of her good friend recently deceased. And she was determined to be the first name engraved upon it.

Sure enough, the final day saw a Championship Match that paired Bev Pigg against a young golfer half her age. With 3 holes left to go, she recalled being ‘two down’ when a fire in her belly to play her best golf ever rose to the surface. Three birdies later, Beverly Pigg was crowned Winner of the first Rosemary Rippey Golf Tournament. The trophy bears witness to her win today.

Her accomplishments were not only in the area of sports, but also in service. Area Chairman for the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital fundraising drive, becoming a real estate broker and earning her GRI degree, serving on the Columbia Planning Commission when General Motors opened their Saturn plant, receiving the Charter Member Volunteer Award for her commitment to The People’s Table, former board member for The James K. Polk Society.

Yet, it was her faith that moved her forward all her life. Raised in the Garden Street Presbyterian Church she was on the planning team when, out of necessity for a new home, it moved to become Westminster Presbyterian. But it was later, when she and Dub joined First Presbyterian Church in downtown Columbia, that they found peace in having ‘come back home.’

An avid reader and member of The Cosmopolitan Club, Beverly decided to write her own book. By the fall of 2018 she saw two milestones in her life — a 90th birthday celebration and the completion/launch

of The Johnson Family History Spanning Five Generations. One year later, she delivered a second about her maternal grandmother, Remembering Mama Cook.

To fail to mention 815 Academy Lane, what it meant to her, how she grew as a decorator/designer/hostess, etc. would be to miss the courageous spirit of possibility that lived inside Beverly Pigg. This Edwin Keeble house became her dream when she first entered it to visit with Mary Forsythe and the husband who loved her met her in that dream of it becoming home. When it came time to pass this “big love of her life along”, she gave deep thanks for the couple God had brought along years earlier; the new friends now like family to whom she always hoped it would belong.

Beverly Pigg passed in peace and is survived by her younger sister, Harriette Johnson White of Greenville, North Carolina; her children, Sheryl Lynn Pigg (eldest), Teresa Pigg Poling (second), and Ed Holmes (formally William Edgar Pigg, (youngest); granddaughter, Linton Lee Poling; grandson, Michael John Poling, Jr (Jay), daughter-in-law, Katie Henson Poling; granddaughters, Lannon Brooks Poling and Walker Katherine Poling.

A Memorial Celebration will be held Wednesday, June 5th at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Columbia, Visitation 3 - 5pm; Memorial Service 5pm - 6pm. Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home officiating. A reception to follow will be held in the James K. Polk Memorial Gardens from 6pm - 7pm. All are welcome.

The family thanks Brookdale Assisted Living and director, Jennifer Massey for their compassionate care including the committed team that delivers it daily.

Honorary Pallbearers: Billy Miles Cook, Terry Cook, Zachary Cook, Al Harlan, Jim Hughes, Seth Lassiter, Greg Martin, Tony Sowell, Matt Sowell, and Bob Sweeney.

Honorary Friends: Lee Brown, Diane Bolton, Bitty Crozier, Kay Curtis, Janice English, Sheila Rippey Fleming, Rene Foster, Jennie Harlan, Marianne Harrell, Pastor Sarah Kneff, Melissa Lasater, Kristi Martin, Roben Mounger, Beth Patton, Judy Ruth Parks, Micki Poling, Beverly Rayburn, Ellen Rogers, Teresa Smith, Cathy Webb Thomas, and Amy Vaught. Also, including Alicia Fitts and all members of the Cosmopolitan Club.

Heartfelt and deep thanks to the First Presbyterian Church family for all their support over these many blessed years! Thanks be to God!!