Jerry M. Milam

Jerry M. Milam, age 89, of Jackson, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at Jackson Madison County General Hospital on Sunday, March 2, 2025, with family by his side.

Jerry Milam was born on May 14, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, to Louis W. Milam, Sr. and Julia Pearl Burton Milam. In 1947, his parents, desiring a warmer climate, settled and made their permanent home in Jackson, Tennessee. A few years later, Jerry met Mr. E. A. Wamble, a customer at the local service station where he worked. It did not take long before Mr. Wamble warmed to Jerry and invited him home for dinner with plans of introducing him to his youngest daughter, June. Mr. Wamble's plan worked, and Jerry and June were married in 1954. Jerry and June enjoyed reminiscing about Mr. Wamble’s matchmaking skills, thanking the Lord for a blessed union that thrived until June’s recent passing in July 2024, just four months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary. Over the last eight months, Jerry has missed June terribly, and he eagerly awaited their reunion in Heaven.

A devoted husband, father, and friend to many, Jerry took every opportunity to help others. Grounded in a deep faith of the Lord, he served as a deacon in his church for most of his adult life and taught Sunday School. He enjoyed reflecting on opportunities he was given in his life, which ranged from a month-long mission trip to Upper Volta, Africa to faithfully bringing a disabled friend to church to helping his children and grandchildren build and renovate homes for their growing families. Jerry was skilled in many areas, and several times over personally built a home from the ground up. He took the time to teach others those skills just as had been done for him. His efforts to teach those coming after him shaped the careers of his son, son-in-law, and grandson, enabling each to provide in a variety of ways for their families. In all of these opportunities, Jerry always marveled at the Lord's provision and how God directed his steps.

Jerry retired from the Jackson Madison County School System after 25 years as Maintenance Supervisor. During his tenure with the school system, Jerry worked tirelessly to successfully persuade lawmakers to include all county employees in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System. After retiring, he and June enjoyed many years of traveling to various historical sites across the nation and some abroad. More than anything, though, they valued the opportunities they were given to host and help friends and family, always faithful to generously give of what the Lord had given them. Of all that Jerry and June gave to their loved ones, their family is most grateful for the gift of their faith, which they shared in word and deed.

Jerry is survived by his son, Don Milam, of Decatur County, Tennessee, and his daughter, Melissa Hopper and her husband Steve, five grandchildren, Hailey David (Matthew), John Thomas Hopper (Christie), his namesake Jerri Anne Edwards (Mike), Molly Johnson, and Emily Lewis (Rich), eight great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren all of Jackson, Tennessee. He also leaves a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters.

A service to celebrate the life of Jerry will be held in the Chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Brent Lay officiating. A time of remembering with the family and friends will begin at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service. The committal service will follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Don Milam, Steve Hopper, John Thomas Hopper, Matthew David, Wyatt David, and Mike Edwards.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be directed to Gideon’s International, Jackson Camp, 30 Sutton Place, Jackson, TN 38305 or Englewood Baptist Church, c/o Missions, 2239 N. Highland Ave., Jackson, TN 38305 or online at www.englewood.church.

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