Don Pippin, Sr.

Don Pippin, Sr. was born on January 7, 1941, in El Dorado, Arkansas, to Thelma Griffin and Willie Staten Pippin.  As a tall handsome teen, he attended El Dorado High School and it was there, at 14 years old, that he would meet his future wife, Jo Ellen. He was smitten and began to court her. They soon fell in love and that their fates were sealed. They were married a year after graduation on September 1st, 1960.

Directly after graduating from Southern State College, in Magnolia, Ar.  Don began an early career working for the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). He later decided to join the banking industry, which eventually brought them to Beaumont, Texas in 1975. He devoted 20 years of his personal time working in the Beaumont community to bring the word of God and the news of His saving grace to those in need. Don spent countless hours working in the prison ministry, which he loved. He was also a member of The Lions Club and The Gideons International and served with those organizations as well. He spent many selfless days and hours distributing the Bible, the precious Word of God throughout the surrounding area. He did all of this while working full-time to support his growing family. Together, Don and Jo Ellen raised three wonderful children, Don, Julie, and Mark. He was faithful to bring his family to church and lead them with an example of the highest integrity and faithfulness to God and His service. Don attended the same church in Beaumont for the entire time he lived, up until he was physically unable to attend. He was strong, steady, and unfailingly faithful.

During the 60 wonderful years that Don and Jo Ellen were married, they were blessed with beautiful grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud, as well as great-grandchildren who brought him great joy. Don and Jo Ellen  made many happy memories together with these children and many more extended family members. He celebrated and loved his family deeply. His greatest priority was his family and his lifelong devotion to loving and serving God in all ways.

Don lived his legacy in the Beaumont area for almost 50 years. He passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, August 20, 2021 at 80 years of age. He was only a few days away from celebrating 60 years of marriage with Jo Ellen.

He leaves behind many loved ones, including his beautiful wife of sixty-years, Jo Ellen Pippin; son, Don Pippin, Jr. and his wife, Tana; daughter, Julie Finical and her husband, Tony; son, Mark Pippin and his wife, Nikki; granddaughters, Taylor Green and her husband, Logan, and Paige Finical; grandson, Peyton Finical and his wife, Lauren; granddaughter, Jade Sappington and her husband, Justin; grandson, Staten Pippin; great-grandchildren, Blaike Green, Braxton Green, and Lottie Finical; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Helen Crotty and Esteen Swarek.

Memorial contributions for Mr. Pippin may be made to The Anchor of Beaumont, 6655 Hwy. 105, Beaumont, Texas 77708.

A gathering of Mr. Pippin’s family and friends will begin at 11:00 a.m., with his funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at The Anchor of Beaumont, 6655 TX-105, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Arlington Memorial Park, 702 N. Mosby Avenue, El Dorado, Arkansas.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

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