Mary Virginia Pipkin

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 2:29 PM, God’s messengers informed Virginia it was time to start the next chapter of her being. While her youngest daughter held one of her hands and her oldest granddaughter held her other hand, Virginia took her last breath here on earth.

Born in Harnett County, North Carolina, the eldest daughter of the late Roosevelt and late Mildred Pipkin’s ten children, she became a caregiver to her younger siblings at just 11 years old after her mother passed away, a role she carried with strength throughout her life.

She moved to Philadelphia, raised her family there, worked as a seamstress and as a proud member of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union. In addition these she also worked as a teaching assistant at St. Bonaventure School in Philadelphia after retiring from her seamstress job.

After having lived in Philadelphia for more than 50 years she eventually returned home to North Carolina. She loved people, laughter, traveling, and her “Golden Girls” at the Erwin Community Center. She proudly declared she was Oak Grove AME Zion born and raised, and always said she wanted to go to her final resting place from Oak Grove.

She was preceded in death by her son Anthony; her parents; four brothers; and one sister. She leaves behind her sisters Jessie Pipkin and Jean Griffin; her children Dennis Pipkin, Sharon Allen, Cheryl Smith (Herschel), and Craig Pipkin (Tammi) her daughter‑in‑law Audrey Pipkin (Anthony); along with her grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, great‑great‑grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.

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