Theresa Jane Pedigo

Theresa Jane (Gates) Pedigo, age 64, a lifetime resident of Pensacola, Florida passed away on Sunday evening, December 17, 2023, at her home in Pensacola. Theresa was the only daughter born to the marital union of James “Russell” Gates, Sr., and Shirley Louise (Toler) Gates McFalls, the younger sister of Richard “Ricky” Curtis Gates and older sister of James Russell “Rusty” Gates, Jr. Theresa grew up in Gonzalez, FL, attending Tate High School and for a short time, Woodham High. In the early to mid-90’s, Theresa retired from the Escambia County School System as a bus driver, a job that had been inspired by her maternal grandmother, Martha Jane (Harris) Toler and her aunt, Babara Ann (Toler) Hohaus Trawick, both of which were positive-influential women in Theresa’s life. In 1995, Theresa married the love of her life, Barry Gene Pedigo and from there, her life truly began, as she and Barry traveled the U.S. together, working for a variety of integrated construction-service companies. They were more than a perfect match for one another, with many common interests and a deep-bonded union of love that would last them for nearly 30 years. From the union with Barry, Theresa was blessed to become the bonus-mother of Jessica Marie (Pedigo) Cartes, and Justin Lane Pedigo. Jessica later blessed Theresa becoming a “Meemaw” with the births of both Analise and Lillia. To know Theresa was to love her and if you truly knew her, you knew full well she was all heart and a most loyal friend. She was all about family, she came from the Ferry Pass Gates family of “amazing cooks”, and she most loved hosting family cookouts and gatherings, impressing everyone with her cooking skills. She also loved to fish and enjoyed being outdoors, gardening and of course, going to the beach. Theresa was proceeded in death by both of her parents, Russell and Shirley; her father-in-law, Arthur Richard Pedigo; as well as her nephew, James “Micah” Gates, whom she dearly loved as her own. Theresa is survived by her adoring husband, Barry; her older brother, Ricky of Pensacola; her younger brother, Rusty (Sherry) of Brownsville, TX; her much-loved mother-in-law, Jean Pedigo of Pensacola; her bonus-children, Justin (Andrea) of Jonesborough, TN and Jessica (Jake) of Baton Rouge, LA; her bonus-grandchildren, Analise and Lillia of Baton Rouge, LA; her niece, Elizabeth “Amber” (Gates) Holobaugh (Zac) of Florala, AL; her nephew, Jake Gates of Brownsville, TX; her nephew, Randy Gates the Third of Australia; her brother-in-law, Steve Pedigo of Pensacola; brother-in-law, Darren Pedigo (Monica) of Deland, FL; her step-mother, Liz Mitchell, whom Theresa adored for loving her daddy, Russell; and her very best girlfriend, Julie “Buddy” Boughton, whom she loved as a dear sister. She is also survived by several cousins from both the Gates and Toler families, who all loved Theresa dearly, as well as many lifelong friends. Visitation services will be held on December 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Theresa will be laid to rest at Whitemare Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Tommy Bullock, Justin Pedigo, Jake Cartes, Mike Hadley, Devin Sherman, and Tommy Cartes. Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

Tributes

Theresa Jane Pedigo

May 9, 1959 - December 17, 2023