James Anderson Prewitt III's Obituary
James Anderson Prewitt III (Jimmy) died peacefully at Baptist Memorial Hospital on September 17, 2023. He was born on July 15, 1928, in Memphis to James A. Prewitt, Jr., and Carolyn Merrin Prewitt. Jimmy graduated from Central High School in 1946. He attended the University of Tennessee, then graduated from Memphis State College in 1950. Jimmy was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, where he made lifelong friends, some of whom he kept in close contact until his death. During his college career he became interested in boxing and participated in the Golden Gloves of America.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he married in 1952, joined the Coast Guard, and was stationed in Cape May, New Jersey, for 2 years.
He returned to Memphis, where he started work in the cotton business. Soon thereafter, he began working in the insurance business, then later owned his own company, The Allan Ferguson Agency. He served a year as president of the Tennessee Insurers.
Jimmy was active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving first as a volunteer, then as a troop leader. He was a proud to have been a part of three generations of Boy Scouts; his father, Jimmy himself, and his three sons all earned the Eagle Scout designation.
An avid outdoorsman, Jimmy loved to bird watch, hunt, fish and canoe.
Jimmy was proud of his family’s membership at St. Mary’s Cathedral, which has lasted over 100 years. Jimmy was honored to serve on its Chapter in various capacities.
Jimmy was predeceased by his late wife, Jeanne Satterfield Prewitt, his son, William Thompson Prewitt, and his sister, Carolyn M. Bell.
He is survived by his son James A. Prewitt IV (Jenny), his son Benjamin Satterfield Prewitt (Susan), his daughter Jeanne Merrin Cantin (Mark), and his five grandchildren, Alexander Hyun-ju Prewitt of Brooklyn, NY, Benjamin Samuel Prewitt of San Antonio, TX, Katherine Grace Prewitt of Columbus, OH, Matthew Louis Cantin of Memphis, and Carolyn Jordan Cantin of Germantown.
The family wishes to acknowledge his caregivers and thank them for their care and dedication.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Mary’s Cathedral, 700 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN, 38105.
On September 21, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., there will be a visitation in Martyrs’ Hall at St. Mary’s Cathedral, followed by a memorial service in the Chapel at 11:00 A.M.
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