Obituary of Jerry Wayne Studdard

Supernumerary Sheriff Jerry Wayne Studdard, "The High Sheriff", was born January 20, 1943 in Talladega, Alabama and died peacefully on February 21, 2016 at The Village at Cook Springs Nursing Home in Pell City, Alabama. He was raised in the Mardisville community of rural Talladega County and attended Winterboro High School. Jerry was an accomplished rodeo cowboy in his youth and he loved spending time tending to his cattle throughout his lifetime. Retiring in 2013, he was one of the longest serving Sheriffs in the history of the State of Alabama serving Talladega County for more than 34 years. He began his law enforcement career as a jailer in 1968 and later served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Talladega County Sheriff’s Department. Prior to becoming Sheriff, he also served as Investigator with the Alabama Beverage Commission Board. Jerry was first elected Sheriff of Talladega County in November 1978 and served nine consecutive terms. A well-respected member of law enforcement, Sheriff Studdard’s accomplishments were many and wide-ranging. He took great pride in developing countless number of deputies and investigators some of which later became police chiefs and other leading law enforcement officers throughout the State of Alabama. But what made the High Sheriff truly special were the things he did that never made the newspaper as he nurtured and helped countless number of people in times of their greatest need. He was never off-duty or unavailable if you needed him, truly a friend and public servant to all. Jerry attended Talladega Creek Baptist Church as a child and in his adult life was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Alpine. Jerry was beloved by his community, colleagues, family and friends and will be greatly missed. “The High Sheriff” is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Studdard and Lena Brewer Studdard, his brother Roy Studdard and his brother Jimmy Studdard. He is survived by his children Janet Wallis (Frankie), Jerri Lynn Pruitt (Tim), Dustin (Denise) Studdard and Jay Studdard, grandchildren Jeremy Wallis, Heidi Wallis, Jerred Pruitt, Jana Studdard and Cashton Studdard. Great-grandchildren: Reid Wallis, Laniey Wallis, Kinley Windham and Khloe Studdard and many nephews and nieces. Sisters Pat Williams, Hazel Moncus, Juanita Braswell (Buster), and Judy Smith (Steve). He was preceded in death by his dear friend Joe Tom Armbrester. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Barnett, Mike Brown, Jerry Fielding, Rod Giddens, Steve Giddens, Billy Hay, Bo Hollingsworth, Jimmy Kilgore, Julian King, Robert Rumsey, Buddy Wesley and Chad Woodruff. Honorary Pallbearers are Talladega County Sheriff’s Department Employees, Talladega County Judicial Building Employees, Talladega County Commissioners Wayne Armbrester, Jimmy Curtis, Jeb Fannin, Jerry Fincher, Ken Flowers, Clarence Haynes, Ricky Hindman, Mike McBurnett, Ryan Rumsey, George Sims, Ken Sisk, John Tyminski and Archie Wesley. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 – 5014 or www.michaeljfox.org The family will receive visitors on Thursday, February 25, 2016 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. and the funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Talladega County Judicial Building at 148 East Street North, Talladega, Alabama 35160. Usrey Funeral Home will direct services. Rev. Dale Dison and Father Ben Turnage will officiate and burial will be in Pine Hill Memorial Park in Talladega, Alabama.