Funeral services for Thomas Edroe Pesnell, 84, of Ruston, will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Dr. Michael Hawley will officiate assisted by Bro. Dale Oden. Interment will follow at Longstraw Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 until the service at the church.Mr. Pesnell was born July 29, 1933 in Jackson Parish to Erma Lee Spillers and Thomas Shady Pesnell. He died on February 11, 2018 following a lengthy illness.After serving two years in the Army, Edroe went to work for M. S. Carroll Co. in Ruston, LA. He then went to work for the telephone company and retired from South Central Bell after 33 years of service. After retirement, he bought and maintained the Chatham Cable T. V. Co. for five years.Edroe was noted for having a very productive garden and he thoroughly enjoyed being outside working in it. People would stop by to admire the garden and he would gladly share the produce from it.Edroe was blessed in life to have two loving families. During the 42 years he was married to Betty Marie Pesnell, they had two children, Robin Marie Pesnell of Corpus Christi, TX and Aubrey Matt Pesnell of Atlanta, GA. From his marriage to Shirley Baxter Pesnell, he was blessed with her three children, Kim Norman Baker (Roy) of Quitman, LA; Pamela Norman Sodd of Groesbeck, TX; and Misty Norman Brown (Greg) of Calhoun, LA. His greatest delight in life was being Poppie to granddaughter Paige Michelle Brown. He is also survived by sister Laurene Brister of Cartwright, LA; brother Bill Pesnell and wife Christine of West Monroe, LA and sisters-in-law Audra Pesnell of Cartwright, LA and Frances Pesnell of Ruston, LA.Edroe was preceded in death by Betty Marie and brothers, Claude and Harold Pesnell.Pallbearers are nephews. Honorary pallbearers are A T & T and South Central Bell employees.The family wishes to thank the workers from ABC Senior Services and the Ruston Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their loving care of Mr. Pesnell.Online condolences may be made at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.