Ava Nell Pipkins Dennis

Ava Nell Pipkins Dennis, 94, of Valdosta passed away on Wednesday evening September 3, 2014 at the Langdale Hospice House. She was born on August 2, 1920 in Lowndes County to the late George and Perlie Hughes Pipkins. She was married to the late Vernon E. Dennis for sixty one years and was preceded in death by her grandsons, Stan Herring and Mack Whiddon, her brothers and sisters, Roy Pipkins, Cleo Pipkins, Barney Pipkins, Imo McLane, Blanche Wisenbaker and Louise King.
Mrs. Dennis worked for Levi Strauss for seventeen years and her earlier years at Hava Tampa Cigar.
Ava Nell or Granny was well known for the love of her family, her cooking (especially her thin layered chocolate cake), her witty sense of humor, her love for the Braves baseball team and a general sports enthusiast. All her grandchildren and later her visitors at Langdale Place where she resided for nine years will remember her "Snicker Jar" which she always made sure was full. She and her sister, Blanche, enjoyed fishing, gardening and spending time together canning vegetables and being outdoors. One of her greatest gifts was taking care of people and making them laugh.
She was a member of the Unity Primitive Baptist Church for sixty two years where she and her husband, Vernon were dedicated in their faith and involvement in the church. She was the oldest living member.
She lived the last nine years at Langdale Place where she enjoyed meeting new people and establishing lasting friendships. She looked forward to Thursdays where she played Bingo and was such an avid competitor for the prize of postage stamps. She also looked forward to the monthly sing alongs and the weekly Sunday services where she took on the responsibility in making the "Willows" ready for worship each Sunday.
Survivors include her three children and their spouses, Glenda Dennis Herring and Ealie Herring, Larry Vernon and Charlotte Dennis, Judy Dennis Whiddon and Jimmy Whiddon all of Lake Park, eleven grandchildren, Danny (Joy) Herring, Gene Herring (special friend, Sandy Estes), Russell (Susie) Herring, Joey (Lisa) Herring, Shannon Herring Kellerman all of Lake Park, Stacy Dennis McFarland of McDonough, GA, Lisa (Hernan) Posas of Valdosta, Jill Dennis of Lake Park, Brett (Leslie) Whiddon of Hahira, Monica (Jason) Morris of Ocilla, GA, Erika (Cary) Kight of Homerville; thirty great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Her grandsons, Danny Herring, Russell Herring, Gene Herring, Levi (Stan) Herring, Joey Herring and Brett Whiddon will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be her great grandsons, John Herring, Jordan Herring, Ben Herring, Matt Jones, Sam Herring, Landon Herring, Levi Herring, Jake McFarland, Sam McFarland, David Posas, Eric Posas, Brodie Whiddon, Tate Kight, Jason Cody Morris and James Morris.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30pm, Sunday, September 7, 2014 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with Elder Jim Sandlin and Elder Thad Marshall officiating. Burial will follow in the Hickory Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6-8pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to the Langdale Hospice House, 2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602 or to Unity Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Lisa Corbett, 162 Joe Sandlin Road, Lake Park, GA 31636. A special thanks to all the workers and volunteers and Langdale Place and Langdale Hospice House for their kind and loving efforts in bringing comfort and joy in her last years and days. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.





Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602