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Herman G. “Jiggs” Lemley, 81, of North Fort Myers, Fla., went to be with his
Lord and Savior on April 30, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born Nov. 22, 1927, in Parkersburg, W.Va., to the late Abram and Gladys
(Stephens) Lemley. Jiggs graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1946. He was
a well-known steel guitarist in the field of country music all of his life.
He worked with Hawkshaw Hawkins starting in 1948 at WWVA Jamboree
in Wheeling, W.Va. Jiggs worked with many country music stars including several
from the Grand Ole Opry and throughout the eastern United States
and Canada. His musical legacy can been seen at www.hillbilly-music.com,
including his induction into the Florida Country Music Associations Hall of Fame.
He owned and operated Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens from 1966-76 before moving
to Fort Myers, Fla. While there Jiggs worked in sales and continued playing
country music. His band Southern Sundown won Florida State band of the
year in 1989.
He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Marie; sons, Mike Lemley
of Mount Gilead, Ohio, John Lemley of Mount Vernon, Ohio, Roger Lemley
of Columbus, Ohio; daughters, Kimberly Lemley of Mount Vernon, Ohio, Beverly Sobers
of Fredericktown, Ohio; stepsons, David Thomas of North Fort Myers, Fla.,
Dean Thomas of Columbus, Ohio; five grandchildren, Mark Owens, Joshua Lemley,
Kimmie Sobers, Chad Sobers and David Stout; two great-grandchildren, Mackenzie
Rine and Jarred Lemley; three sisters, Wilma (Ernie) Wilson, Linda (Foster)
Vannoy of Parkersburg, W.Va., and Evelyn (Mike) Davis of Camdenton, Mo.;
two brothers, Carl (Liz) Lemley of Parkersburg, W.Va., and Wiley Lemley
of Vienna, W.Va.; brother -in-law, Robert Naylor of Vienna, W.Va.;
several nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Barbara (John) Judge,
Virginia (Clifford) Goins of Maryville, Tenn., Shirley (Dominick) Tacelli
of Mo.; brother-in-law, Robert (Joyce) Quaranta of Olympia, Wash.; many friends;
and his canine friend, Kimmie Sue.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three sisters,
Margaret Cline, Dorothy Foley Flannigan, Shirley Naylor; one brother,
Fred (Elma) Lemley; sister-in-law, Mariettia Lemley; two daughters-in-law,
Judy and Janice Lemley.
A private service will be held on Monday, May 4, at noon at the Horizon Funeral
in Fort Myers, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be
made to the charity of one’s choice.
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