Emmett Eugene Pinkston, IV, 78, of Lake Park, Georgia passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at The Langdale Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. Emmett was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 28, 1948, to the late Emmett Eugene Pinkston, III and Constance Field Pinkston. The family lived in Atlanta and Macon before making their home in Albany, GA. He graduated in 1966 from Albany High School, where he played offensive line and continued his education at Valdosta State College, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business & Economics. After obtaining his real estate license, Emmett went on to become a successful Real Estate Broker and owner of the “Infamous” Emmett Pinkston Realty for over 45 years. He claimed he was the “biggest” real estate broker in Lowndes County, and he was to all that knew him - in size, in ethics and in heart.

Needless to say, Emmett helped to shape the face of south Lowndes County, especially the great town of Lake Park. He loved nothing more than helping his community and neighbors, which he did in various ways such as serving as president of the Valdosta Home Builders Association, President of the Lowndes County Touchdown Club, member of the Board of Education for Lowndes County Schools, Lowndes County Zoning Board; and as an auxiliary officer with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit – of which he was most proud.

While at Valdosta State he met Judy Galloway from Thomasville and, after a five month romance, they married. Next month they would have celebrated 56 years of marriage. The family was completed by the addition of their daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie. He was ahead of his time as he took a very active role in their rearing due to Judy’s state job which required a lot of traveling. He was an outstanding father and made their lives quite the adventure! They rewarded him by giving him six wonderful grandchildren so he could continue his adventures.

Emmett is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, David Eugene Pinkston and Drew Eugene Pinkston, and his aunt, Dorothy Pinkston. He is survived by his wife, Judy Pinkston of Lake Park; two daughters and sons-in-law Liz & Brian Hill of Bainbridge and Leslie & Justin Barrett of Lake Park; and six amazing grandchildren: Aubrey Hill of Dayton Ohio, Addison and Alden Hill, both of Bainbridge, GA, Analei Barrett, Marlee and Emmett Cowart all of Lake Park. Also surviving is his brother Darryl Pinkston of Defuniak Springs, FL; his sister and brother-in-law, Constance & Don Spencer of Gotha, FL and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held for Emmett at 4 pm on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at McLane Lakewood Funeral Home in Lake Park. The family will receive friends from 2:30 pm until service time on Saturday afternoon at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, www.hospiceofsouthgeorgia.org/donate/ or to a charity of your choice, in his name to honor the altruistic legacy he leaves behind. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com McLane Lakewood Funeral Home