Barbara Sue Herrington Pirkle

Barbara Sue Herrington Pirkle, 59, of Gainesville, passed away peacefully May 31, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 5, 1951 in Gainesville, Georgia. Barbara attended Buford City schools and married the late J. M. Pirkle in 1968.

Barbara suffered a stroke in 2006 but recovered and even taught herself to read again. Her biggest battle came in 2009 when she courageously fought breast cancer. The greatest times in her life involved being surrounded by her extended family, good food, and lots of laughter. Equally precious was the time spent with her grandchildren and her Chiweenie dogs.

Barbara Sue was preceded in death by her beloved husband, J.M. Pirkle and her father, Willie C. Herrington. She is survived by five children: Amy (Mike) Nix, of Clermont; Mitchell (Stacy) Pirkle, of Gainesville; Jennifer (Bobby) Sullens, of Lula; Melanie (Kenny) Pirkle, of Gainesville; and Kimberly Vestie Pirkle, of Gainesville. Barbara is also survived by her grandchildren, Justin Sullens, Anslee Nix, Austin Sullens, Kara Dukes, Drake Cabender, Christina and Sara Nix, and Amanda, Whitney, and Morgan Sullens. She is also survived by her mother, Vestie, siblings Dennis, Kaye, and Tim Herrington. Treasured sisters-in-law include Jackie Stich, Sue Batson, and Lu Waara; and brother-in-law L.D. Pirkle, as well as a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 4:00 pm in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home in Gainesville, with visitation from 4 to 8 pm Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at the funeral home. The service will be presided over by Rev. Joel Shadburn and don Waara, followed by burial at the Chattahoochee Baptist Church Cemetery in Flowery Branch.

The family would like to extend personal thanks to Dr. Lahiry and the staff of the Longstreet Cancer Center, as well as the Northeast GA Hospice staff, for their compassion and support.

Memorial Park Funeral Home 2030 Memorial Park Road Gainesville, GA 30504.

Or online condolences at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com