Jerry Leigh Pauley
Jerry Leigh Pauley, 73, of Timberville, Virginia, passed away on September 25, 2026. He was born on October 7, 1952, in Wedowee, Alabama, to C.B. and Edna U. Pauley. He grew up in Wedowee before eventually making his home in Virginia, where he spent many years in Churchville before moving to Timberville. Both communities became an important part of his life.
Jerry was a simple man who believed in working hard, taking care of what was his, helping others, and never being afraid to get his hands dirty. He was happiest when he was trucking, farming, fixing something, working on a project, or lending someone a hand.
Jerry served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1975, attaining the rank of Specialist Four and serving as a Bridge Specialist. Although he never sought praise or recognition for his military service, he was quietly proud to have served his country.
Much of Jerry’s life was spent behind the wheel of a truck. He worked for Houff Transfer, where he made many lifelong friends, and later became an owner/operator with May Trucking. Known over the CB as “Snoopy,” Jerry especially enjoyed his years hauling for Coors and the freedom of being out on the road. Even after retiring from full-time driving, he wasn’t quite ready to leave trucking behind and continued driving for E-Line Express. Trucking was more than a job to Jerry; it was something he genuinely loved.
Farming was just as important to him. Jerry enjoyed raising cattle, making hay, working in his garden, and spending time on the land. After stepping back from trucking, retirement never really suited him. He became a landlord, purchased fixer-upper homes, made repairs and improvements himself, and operated an apartment building. There was almost always another project waiting for him.
Jerry could fix just about anything and had an incredible ability to figure things out. Whether it involved a vehicle, a house, farm equipment, or something no one else quite knew what to do with, chances were Jerry could find a way. Anyone who knew him also knew he loved to talk, especially about farming, equipment, trucking, or whatever project he happened to be working on.
More than anything, Jerry will be remembered for the way he treated people. He was kind, generous, funny, charming, and naturally charismatic. He had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcome and was truly the type of person who would give someone the shirt off his back. If someone needed something and Jerry could help, he did, without expecting anything in return.
Jerry also enjoyed the simple comforts of home, including a good ribeye steak and his well-known brown beans and cornbread.
Jerry was the proud father of three daughters: Amber Leigh (Pauley) Smith and her husband, Kevin, of Churchville, Virginia; Maegan Ashley (Pauley) Hoy, who preceded him in death in 2020; and his youngest daughter, Kristen Michelle (Pauley) Cook and her husband, Jeremy, of Churchville, Virginia. He is also survived by Maegan’s husband, Bobby, and his seven grandchildren: Hannah, Davin, and Ethan Smith; Presleigh and Laiken Hoy; and Raegan and Jackson Cook, all of Churchville.
Jerry enjoyed being fussed over by the people who loved him, but he was just as quick to turn around and do something for someone else. He worked hard, loved deeply, and took pride in caring for the people and things that mattered most to him. His generosity, humor, resourcefulness, work ethic, and unmistakable personality will be deeply missed by the many people fortunate enough to have known him.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Churchville, Virginia. Family and friends are invited to gather to visit, share memories, celebrate Jerry’s life, and pay their respects. Military honors will be rendered at the graveside in recognition of his service in the United States Army, after which Jerry will be laid to rest near his daughter, Maegan.
