"The Book of Our Loved One"

To everything there is a season Ecclesiastes 3:1

"A Time To Be Born" …

VINCENT LEWIS PLEDGER, a loving and devoted husband, brother, brother-in-law and uncle, opened the "Book of Life" on November 22, 1956 in Washington, DC to the late Zelma and John Pledger.  After his parents' death, he moved to Winston-Salem, NC and legally became son to his mom's sister, Norma Lee McDuffie and brother to Frank, James, Linda, Jerry, Anthony and Desi.

"A Time to Every Purpose Under the Heavens"

Vincent was baptized at an early age at the Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.  He was a child of God who continued to practice spiritually the Ten Commandments he learned as a child and embraced all faiths as a kind human being.

Vincent was very competitive in life, and especially as an athlete.  He began his formal participation in sports at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, where he participated in football, basketball, and baseball from seventh through tenth grades.  He attended Anderson High School where he excelled in basketball, football, and track.  His true talent and overwhelming passion for basketball was revealed when he attended Parkland Senior High School.  In his senior year, Vincent was selected to the All-Conference team, averaging over 21 points per game.   His high school scoring average made him the leading scorer among all Winston-Salem city and Forsyth County senior high schools.  This resulted in his receiving several full athletic scholarship offers, of which he decided to attend North Carolina Central University.

Vincent Pledger #40 joined NCCU men's basketball as one of the largest classes ever of blue chip athletes in fall of 1975. He was known as Pledge and went to work on the hardwood. Despite knee injuries he persevered both athletically and academically.  He proudly continued the legacy of wearing #40 worn by NCCU standout, Robert Little who also hailed from Winston Salem.

Pledge had a very competitive spirit and always took winning as his goal in everything from basketball to pool to golf. His competitive spirit was superseded only by his sense of humor and his million dollar smile. Pledger kept a sense of fashion and took pride in dressing "to the nines." He will be missed at the gatherings for the former NCCU basketball players, but he will forever be an Eagle only now he flies with the angels.

"Labor is a Gift of God"

Vincent received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from North Carolina Central University in 1979.  After college he was an educator with Wrights School in Durham.  He served for a time with the Winston-Salem Fire Department before meeting Mr. Joe Dudley of Dudley Products Company, who recruited him to open the new territory in Northern California.  Vincent became one of the leading salesmen and achieved significant growth for Dudley in this uncharted part of the country.  However, his love for computers and working with gadgets led him to pursue an additional degree in hardware and software design, enabling him to progress in his chosen career. Vincent retired in 2012 from GlaxoSmithKline after 20 years of service as a Computer Engineer specializing in hardware and software.  He loved his work and made many life-long friends.  He received certifications as Fiber Optic Technician and Specialist from The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. in Fayetteville North Carolina in 2019, and continued his passion for learning even in retirement.

Retirement allowed Vincent to pursue another passion, golf. It was his new obsession. Being retired, Vincent played every day that he could, and true to form, became very good at it. He achieved several "holes- in-one" and became one of the top golfers in the Sutton Golf Club tournaments in which he participated annually. Never one for false modesty, Vincent always referred to himself as the "best golfer in the group" whenever he played.

"A Time to Love"

On October 4, 1988, Vincent was married to Vernese Dianne Peerman Pledger.  The couple met at North Carolina Central University, and God saw fit to unite them in matrimony ten years later. Always supportive of Dianne's career and interests, Vincent happily joked about his being "Dianne's husband!"  They shared many friends throughout their marriage, traveled frequently, and enjoyed family gatherings, where Vincent was known to all for his gourmet cooking and masterful grilling skills.  His dishes at family events were always a hit!  Vincent was a father figure to all his nieces and nephews, attending games, recitals, graduations and any other event in their lives that was important to them.  He had weekly tee times with his brother and nephew, tried to teach them golf and was the life of the family. His many nicknames included Vinny P, Pledge, Pierre, Bud-saw, Gator Slim and "A Professional Golfer".

"A Time to Die"

On Wednesday afternoon, May 12, 2021, God sent his Angel to quietly remove a beautiful rose from His mortal garden to immortality.  As the Angels ascended, the Garden Gate was opened wide, welcoming Vincent into His opened arms.  Vincent was preceded in death by his parents, Zelma and John Pledger; Mom, Norma Lee McDuffie, sisters; Peggy Pledger and Linda Rousseau, brothers; Frank and Anthony McDuffie.

"A Time to Mourn"

Vincent leaves many to cherish and celebrate his memory: his devoted and loving wife, Vernese Dianne Peerman Pledger; three brothers, James Melvin McDuffie (Nora) of Durham, NC, Jerry McDuffie (Robbie) of Rural Hall, NC, Desi McDuffie of Tobaccoville, NC; sisters-in-law,  Joanne Peerman of Lynchburg, VA, Donna Peerman Spinks of Greensboro, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Even though our hearts are saddened by the Homegoing of our loved one, we find comfort in knowing that he is peacefully in the arms of our Savior.  We dearly thank God for giving us our beloved husband, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and cousin for sixty-four years.

This Book Closes the Life of VINCENT LEWIS PLEDGER November 22, 1956 – May 12, 2021

Private funeral services will be held  Thursday, May 20, 2021.