The funeral service of Willie James Pinkins, will be conducted Saturday, December 20, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at the Union Missionary Baptist Church, 70 Thompson Street, Camilla. Reverend Rufus Phillips will officiate. Interment will follow in the Oakview Cemetery.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Deacons and Trustees of Union Missionary Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews.

Mr. Willie James Pinkins was the second eldest child born to
the late Edward Sam Pinkins and Lula Mae Pinkins on December
27, 1941 in Mitchell County, Georgia. He was raised in a Christian home along with ten other siblings who affectionately called him "James."

As a youngster, he played hard with his brothers and friends
shooting marbles, jumping lumber, wrestling, building bicycles,
playing stickball, climbing trees, among other games. As a teenager, he delivered newspapers via his bicycle. To help support
the family, he threw the Atlanta Constitution every morning before
school and the Albany Herald in the afternoon. Nevertheless, he
managed to stay on top of his lessons and went on to graduate
from Camilla Consolidated School in the Class of 1959.

A few years later, James assumed a father-figure role to his younger
siblings after the passing of the family patriarch. He took that role
very seriously, functioning as a very strict disciplinarian. In 1962
James was united in Holy Matrimony to Lois Dewberry. To this
union three children were born: Neeve, Katrina, and James
Tyrone.

James never met a stranger–to meet him was to know him. He had a big voice, a big laugh, and a very big heart. He was a good Samaritan to many–some of whom he knew and some of whom were first acquaintances. He was honest, genuine, and to the
point–a man of great integrity. Above all, he endeared undying love
and devotion for his family.

James married for the second time to Cora Ross on August 26, 1975. Three children–Eric, Carlyn, and Anthony–were born to this
union as well.

James was a career Georgia state employee. He worked for the
Department of Transportation for more than 25 years, receiving
many accolades. He retired in 1996. He was a member of Union
Missionary Baptist Church, faithfully serving on the Usher Board before becoming a Deacon. He steadfastly held his position as
Deacon until his health declined.

Preceding him in death was one daughter, Ann Edwards Wesley,
and two siblings, Lottie Mae and Levander Pinkins.

On the morning of Wednesday,
December 10, 2008, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia, James was called to his Heavenly Home.

He leaves to mourn and cherish his memories a loving wife, Cora
Ross Pinkins of Camilla, Georgia; six daughters: Neeve Pinkins
(Lewis) Reese, Katrina Pinkins (Johnny) Wilson, both of Moultrie,
Georgia, Teressa Ann Pinkins of Cuthbert, Georgia, Carolyn Pinkins,
Sharon Ross, both of Camilla, Georgia, and Carlyn Pinkins of
Statesboro, Georgia; and five sons: James Tyrone (Cynthia) Pinkins of Moultrie, Georgia, Eric Carlton (Tara) Pinkins, Anthony Kennard Pinkins, both of Atlanta, Georgia, Michael (Zellia) Ross of
Cincinnati, Ohio, and Reginald (Eddie Mae) Ross of Camilla,
Georgia. He also leaves behind four sisters: Mary Esther Pinkins
Bridges of Miami, Florida, Debra Ann Pinkins (Jeffrey W.) Marcus
of Atlanta, Georgia, Betty Jean Storey of Decatur, Georgia, and
Annie Doris Williams of Camilla, Georgia; seven brothers: Lewis
Mitchell Pinkins of Thomasville, Georgia, Robert Herman (Theresa)
Pinkins of Atlanta, Georgia, Luscious Pinkins of Pelham, Georgia, Edward Pinkins, Tommy Lee (Esther) Pinkins, Sr., Leroy (Delores) Pinkins, and Freddie (Missouri) Edwards, all of Camilla, Georgia; three aunts, Lucille Butler of Camilla, Georgia, Eva Dorothy Carter of Albany, Georgia, Bernice Mitchell of Baconton, Georgia; three sisters-in-law: Palestine Pinkins, Gladys Pinkins, both of Camilla, Georgia, and Emma Pinkins of Albany, Georgia; a brother-in-law, Joseph Bridges of Valdosta, Georgia; a very devoted friend, Lenwood King of Camilla, Georgia; twenty-seven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.