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Erin Tarpley Obituary
Born in Macon, Georgia, she was the daughter of Mimi Hawk Tarpley-Benkoski, Joseph E. Benkoski, Sr. and Danny C. Tarpley. She was a 2001 graduate of Oconee County High School, a member of the 4-H, FFA, and a Pony Club C3 Graduate. She was a member of Union Christian Church and had recently begun working at Sears. Erin attended the University of Georgia majoring in Animal Science and was a member of Sigma Alpha while at UGA. She recently transferred to Athens Technical College where she worked towards becoming a Veterinarian Technician. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Thomas and Anne Tarpley and Jenny and Stanley Benkoski.
She was a life-long lover of animals and found great pleasure in rescuing and rehabilitating any and all animals.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sisters and brother and their spouses; Jennifer (Tom) Sangster of Winterville, Joseph E. Benkoski of Columbia, South Carolina, Mary (Sam) Malcome of Madison and Connie (Jack) Tucker of Nicholson. Her maternal grandparents: Larry and Dorothy ìDotî Hawk; aunts and uncles: Amy (Herschel) Pritchett, Wanda (Cail) Brinson, Tommy Tarpley, Richard Benkoski, Robert (Bonita) Benkoski, Anthony (Linda) Benkoski, Daniel (Patricia) Benkoski; nephews: Tyler Tucker and Alex Malcome; cousins: Amanda (David) Ramsey, Travis Tarpley, Shannon Brinson, and Holly Brinson
Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, December 2, 2006, at Union Christian Church with Rev. Morris Wood officiating. Visitation will be held tonight, November 30, and Friday night, December 1, from 7:00PM to 9:00PM at the funeral home. Burial will be held at the Tall Cedar Farm (Erinís home on Mooreís Ford Road). Pallbearers will be Josh Allen, Sidney Bell, Randy Cain, Jamey Harrison, Ben Maxey, Harry Maxey, Dennis Pritchett and Eddie Tomlinson. Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult Sunday School Class, Disciples Men and the Christian Womenís Fellowship of Union Christian Church.
Memorials may be made to the Erin Tarpley Memorial Fund for Animal Rescue, c/o Oconee State Bank, P.O. Box 205, Watkinsville, GA 30677.
Lord & Stephens, WEST is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Erin Tarpley
Holly Brinson Gay
December 4, 2006
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Wanda Brinson
December 4, 2006
Mimi
My heart is breaking for you. you are the sister I never had and I will always love you. I cherish the last conversations with Erin and regret not having more.
Shannon & Cheryl Brinson
December 3, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Martha Smith Jones
December 2, 2006
I am so sorry for your great loss. My heart aches for you and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers forever. God bless you. Your neighbor.
Janice Knight
December 1, 2006
Mimi and Joe,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God give you the comfort that only he can. Your memories will be so precious as Erin will always be alive in your heart. The hope of seeing her again in heaven will bring comfort.
I have been unable to see you as I am primary caretaker for my mother who had a stroke and just returned home from the nursing home.
Love you,
Janice Knight
Jeremy & Buddy Mabry
December 1, 2006
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at this time.
Shannon Brown~Kentnor
November 30, 2006
Sorry to hear about your loss. As a friend of Connie's and Mary's I got the chance to get to know Erin and she was a sweet person that will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Connie Wheeler
November 30, 2006
I am saddened to hear about Erin's passing. I will always remember her with love. Mimi, my prayers are with you at this time. May God bless you.
Mrs. Connie Wheeler
Bobbie Whittington
November 30, 2006
I am very sorry to hear of Erin's passing. I remember her from OCMS. She was a lovely young woman. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Teresa, Paul, & Katie Bacon
November 30, 2006
To all who knew and loved Erin our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will remember her as the warm vibrant young woman who was passionate about life. Her easy going attitude was such a joy to be around. Erin had the ability to make you smile by just speaking. She spread that joy without reserve. Erin's spark was always contagious you always left her presence with a smile. I'll never forget how great a Pony Club mentor she was.
Melanie Blackmon
November 30, 2006
I am so sorry for your lose. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jennifer Mobley
November 30, 2006
Mimi, I am so sorry to learn of Erin's passing. I remember her as the Warrior Princess when my girls were in school. I cannot imagine what you are going through. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Barry & Jennifer(Smith)Mobley
Bogart,GA
Myra Adams
November 30, 2006
I remember Erin well and her love for animals, especially horses. My thoughts are with you and your extended family at this time.
Dodd, Cameron and Dodd Jr Ferrelle
November 30, 2006
A freind of Hershel's thinking about your family.
Dodd, Cameron and Dodd Jr.
The Ferrelle's
Emily Chitwood
November 30, 2006
As friends and classmates of Erin, the Athens Technical College Veterinary Technician Program would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of this remarkable young woman who will always have a special place in our hearts.
Pam Currin
November 30, 2006
Mimi and Joe,
Louis and I want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. She leaves a hole in many hearts.
Gail Stevens
November 30, 2006
Mimi,Joe and family: I was saddened to read about your daughter. I cannot imagine what you must be going through at this time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I worked with Joe in DFCS.
Alexander Huff
November 30, 2006
Its very hard to see that Erin has left us, but you will always have your memories to fall back on. Its nice to know that she is watching over us now.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes West Chapel
November 30, 2006
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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