Norman Curtis Pipkins

Norman Curtis Pipkins, 82, of Echols County, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2019 at home surrounded by family. He was born September 8, 1936 in Lowndes County to the late Barnie & Bessie McLane Pipkins. In June 1961, he married Mamie Laura Herring. A few months later, they settled in southwestern Echols County and had lived there since. Norman graduated from Lake Park High School in 1956 and worked in farming with his father, along with other odd jobs. After marriage, he continued full-time farming for a few years then went to work at the Langdale Company for a year or so. He then went to work for Owens-Illinois for about 8 years; he was an excellent millwright and worked in maintenance at both places. Later he drove a school bus for the Echols county School System for 8 years. He then went to work for Coggins Farm Supply for about three years before deciding to give up public work entirely to spend more time farming at home. He and his father were known far and wide for the big peanuts they grew, and their syrup-making. Norman continued making cane syrup until about 2005 and for several years provided a “Pancake and Sausage” breakfast for the community.
Norman loved building things; first with metal- as he was an accomplished welder. Then, in later years, he started building with wood. He applied the same perfectionist skills to his woodworking that he had in working with metal. He built his own well-digging rig, as well as designing a cane stripper and a cane cutter. Norman was also a member of Wrights Chapel United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mamie, of almost 58 years; daughters, Brenda Corbett (Mark) and Beverly Highsmith (Ronald); grandchildren, Kelly Corbett, Ashli Copeland (Erik), Mac Corbett (Brianna), Ryan Highsmith, Breanna Highsmith Crosby (Trevor), and Brooke Highsmith; four great grandchildren, Kenna Corbett, Harper Copeland, Judd Copeland and Blakely Crosby, all of Echols County. He is also survived by a sister Shirley Young (James) and their children; a niece, Amy Herring Nolan (Richard) and children. He is preceded in death by a brother, James Cleveland Pipkins and a granddaughter Mandi Corbett, sister-in-law, Gwen Herring and brothers in law, Larry & Lloyd Herring.
The funeral for Mr. Pipkins will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Wrights Chapel United Methodist Church. Rev. Daryl Pate, Rev. Allen Carmichael and Rev. James Davis will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at McLane Lakewood funeral home Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602 or Wrights Chapel UMC, 207 Positive Lane, Lake Park, GA 31636. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com McLane Lakewood Funeral Home