Limmie D. Pulliam

Limmie Demetrus Pulliam was born January 10, 1976, in Kennett, Missouri. He was the tenth of ten children to Virgie Mae and Limmie D. Pulliam, know to family as “Junior” or “Jun” and to the world at large as Limmie or “Lim”. His spirit departed this realm on May 19, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Beloved by many as an internationally acclaimed operatic tenor, Limmie performed in many countries around the world and on some of the most iconic stages in the United States, including Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera stages. A great achievement for one from such humble beginnings as a “preacher’s kid” singing gospel in his father’s church.

Few outsides of his small community know that Limmie also excelled in sports in his younger years: baseball, football and field sports (discus and shotput). After an introduction to opera by his Middle School music teacher, to the dismay of many, he became enamored with opera, stepped away from sports, and began the journey to becoming the Limmie we all love and remember today. Love was an abiding constant throughout Limmie’s life. Limmie loved his family and he LOVED being the son of L.D. and Virgie.

That same kind of love became a thread connecting all his friendships and brought that special something to his interpretation of every role he performed. He would often practice into the wee hours perfecting his diction, rolling his “r’s”, and learning new languages in order to be as authentic as possible in each role.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Limmie often spoke of his faith and how faith and community provided him with opportunities he once only dared dream of. Those who knew Limmie personally knew that, wherever he roamed, he collected people through his larger-than-life personality and generosity of spirit and captivated them with his voice. He always spoke highly of his “small-town” upbringing and the family and community who supported him in achieving his dreams. In his own words,

Kennett is a special place with a deep history of supporting the arts, and I have been blessed to have a community that loves and supports me. Though I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world, MY community is the reason I’m still based out of Kennett to this day. It’s home.

Aside from his music, Limmie was a staunch advocate for democracy in the political realm and regularly volunteered his time and support to political candidates at the local, state and national levels. It was at one of these volunteer events that the spark for singing was rekindled after more than a decade away from the profession. This time away from singing allowed his voice to mature to a deeper, richer tone that he loved. It was this new richer tone that garnered him recurring roles as Otello, Canio (I Pagliacci) and Prince Calaf (Turandot). His rendition of Nessun Dorma has been known to bring audiences to tears.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother Mrs. Virgie Mae Pulliam of Kennett, Missouri; his siblings, Clarence Pulliam and Lavan Pulliam of Kennett, Missouri; Mary Pulliam of Longview, Texas; Tressa (Ronnie) Pulliam-Grogan of Houston, Texas; Sam (Ruby) Pulliam of Village of Dryden, New York; Michael (Lisa) Pulliam of St. Peters, Missouri; Evelyn Pulliam and Sharon Pulliam of St. Louis, Missouri. His beloved aunt Mrs. Willie Mae Pulliam of Kennett, Missouri and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. His “adopted Moms” Mrs. Janet Bachant of New York and Mrs. Nancy Bachant of Seattle and Mrs. Viretta Sexton (his beloved music teacher since middle school) of Kennett, Missouri; along with a multitude of friends and adoring patrons and fans.

He was predeceased by his father, Limmie D. Pulliam; his eldest sister, Laura Ann Pulliam; and his paternal grandparents Howard and Hester Pulliam.

A visitation will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 11:00 A.M. at Kennett High School, located at 1400 W. Washington Street in Kennett, Missouri. Interment will immediately follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett with the Williams Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.