Donald Ernest Pipkin

Obituary

Guest Book

Donald Pipkin Obituary

Name: Visitation for Donald Ernest Pipkin
Start: 2019-08-24T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-08-24T16:00:00.000Z
Location: The Way @ Inwood Baptist Church

Published by Central Florida Casket Store and Funeral Chapel on Aug. 19, 2019.

Donald was born on February 2, 1952 and passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2019. Don graduated from Winter Haven High School in 1970. Visitation will be on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at The Way @ Inwood Baptist Church, 1302 33rd Street NW, Winter Haven, Fl 33881, from 11:00am to 12:00pm with a funeral service following at 12:00pm. He will be laid to rest with his family at Fitzgerald Cemetery at 2:30pm after the funeral service. He always shared with others, "We don't give God our garbage; He deserves our best." In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Play It Forward Polk in his memory.

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Laura Halford Derryberry

August 20, 2019

Dear Family and Friends,

When I found out Don was on Hospice, it may as well have been a close relative. Also in somewhat shock since we had conversed three months prior.

Don Pipkin did more for me than anyone ever in ministry, except maybe my dad. Don was at Eastside Baptist, Plant City, when I arrived in 1995. The same Sunday I joined, even before my first choir practice, he asked if I'd lead music for VBS. After VBS, he asked if I'd be part of the Ensemble/Praise Team. What he didn't know is that my prior church had no confidence in me so that single act did more for me than he knew. His encouragement and confidence in me had so much to do with my growth and expanding my comfort zone. This in turn opened so many opportunities never would have dreamed, including participating in the Emmanuel Tour and the Truth Ensemble Workshop.

Don was known as an encourager and a mentor. He was multi talented in voice and several instruments as well as bringing people together for major productions. I always appreciated if we were going to do anything, it was going to be done right and done well and put the time in to do so. Totally dedicated to anything he did.

Don also had a great sense of humor. One of my favorite memories was the Christmas the musical included a barbershop quartet. Instead of men, he had the idea to use four women including myself. We used the red and white striped vests and flat white hats, and mustaches ! He didn't see us dressed like this until dress rehearsal. Well needless to say, Don lost it and it was probably thirty minutes before we regained composure to continue.

Don touched so many lives. There is not one person that met Don that he didn't touch in some way. Amazing. Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

I know there is nothing I can say to lessen your loss but from my favorite Finale song, I offer these words :

"One thing you need and nothing more,
To hear the Whisper of your Lord.
Be still and know that I am God.
Rest in the arms of My Embrace."

Love you all.