BLONDELL THORN PRIDGEN

Blondell Thorn Pridgen, age 90, of the New Harmony Community of North Walton County passed away at the family residence Tuesday morning, June 7, 2022.  She was born April 10, 1932,  the daughter of Samuel and Eula Hall Thorn.  Blondell and her husband Gene Pridgen began a modest farming operation in North Walton County which grew over the years into a 1000 acre farming business when soy beans were king.  All the while Blondell, in addition to being the “farmer’s wife” and mom to her kids held a job at the sewing factory in Florala to help ends meet.  When Henco (Showell/Perdue) began shipping dressed chicken over a large territory Pridgen Farms with their trucking operation went refrigerated   becoming a major player in the trucking industry and a landmark farming and trucking industry for Walton County.    Blondell manned her post as homemaker, wife, mom, grandmother and helpmate to her husband.  Gene died in October of 2001 and the farming and trucking operation went stagnant.  Nearly 70 years old Blondell was content in staying home, occasionally going to get her hair done, shopping with Joy and taking care of grandkids.  In her last years, ill health prevented her from getting out much but she was “home” and of all places on Earth that is where she wanted to be.  Blondell was part of the fellowship of Cluster Springs Baptist Church.  She is predeceased by her parents, her husband and two sons, Michael Pridgen,  an infant son Gary Ronald Pridgen and her brother Junior Thorn and wife Arcelia.

Among survivors are her daughter, Joy Smith and husband Quintin.  Her grandchildren, Jason Hall,  Kaylen and Kody Pridgen,  Zachary Smith and wife Shelby; among her great grandchildren are Lily, Rhett and Maylee.     Her daughter-in-law Katie Pridgen, and her sisters-in-law Marie Courtney and Martha Nobles Pridgen also survive.

Because of the extreme weather, the location of the funeral has been changed.  Funeral services will still  be held Friday, June 10, 2022  at 10:00 A.M. but will be held in Jerry Evans Chapel with Pastor Michael Tadlock officiating.    Friends and family may go on line to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign the guest register at jerryevansfuneralhome.com