Reverend Nellie Jane (Workman) Pipkins, age 91, gained her heavenly status on February 10, 2021. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers from family and friends carried her through her last days.

Nellie was born to John and Delilah Workman in Delta, PA on March 24, 1929. She had eight siblings: Burley Workman, Enzie Costa, Charlotte Davis, Mary Hunt, Gladys Spangler, Luretha Costa, Genevieve Hare, and Johnnie Costa.

At a young age, Nellie felt the call from the Lord to become a missionary. She studied at Southeastern Bible College, where she met her "Honey", Millard. After graduating from Bible College, Millard and Nellie were married on June 10, 1950 in Shrewsbury, PA. Shortly after their marriage, they followed God's calling to Benin and Togo, West Africa. Nellie was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God serving over fifty years. Nellie & Millard served in West Africa for 45 years.

During her time in Africa, Nellie was a gracious host to all who came to their home. Her love for hospitality and cooking became a favorite place for many to retreat to in West Africa. She often helped "new" missionaries get acclimated as they transitioned to their new home to fulfill God's calling. She was active in the Women's ministry and helped Millard in his various ministries of preaching and building.

Nellie also shared a love for cooking. She often shared this love with all those who sat around her table. Whether you were family, a friend, a fellow missionary or a stranger, your belly, heart and soul left full with food AND most importantly God's love and grace.

Nellie loved her family and friends tremendously. Nellie was known as a mighty prayer warrior. She would spend countless hours praying for each one. She filled her bibles with the prayers that she would pray daily. You would find her often in her closet praying for others. Her prayers have been felt around the world and helped so many to know the love of Christ.

Nellie will be dearly missed by her family and friends, but they rejoice that Nellie is with Christ and her Honey, Millard. As Nellie would say, "Be sweet!"

Nellie is survived by her children, Juanita Jacobsen, Deborah Leader, and Timothy Pipkin and wife Anita; her grandchildren who she lovingly called her "Cookies", Jessi & Donovan Marais, Sarah & Jacob Ruchotzke, Carey Leader, Andrew & Tiffany Leader, Erik-Thor Jacobsen, Emily Pipkin, Caleb & Elisabeth Pipkin, and Joshua Pipkin & Ashley Rolewicz; and her great grandchildren "Cookies", Ethan, Wade, Elaine, and Jaya. She is preceded in death by her husband, Millard, her parents, and her siblings.

Visitation will be from 11:30 am until service time, Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Ash Grove Assembly of God, Ash Grove, MO. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 pm, at the church, with burial to follow in Ash Grove Cemetery, Ash Grove, MO. A Facebook live (Ash Grove Assembly of God Facebook page) will also be offered to those who cannot attend in person.

In lieu of cards or flowers, the family requests that we honor Nellie's faithful work in West Africa. Please consider sending a memorial gift in her name for the building of a church in Benin. Memorial gifts can be sent to Ash Grove Assembly of God: P.O. Box 365, Ash Grove, MO 65604 or be given online at www.ashgroveag.org. Then click on Pipkins Memorial Fund.