Mary L. Pilkinton

Mary Laverne Pilkinton, 90, retired elementary school teacher and a resident of Columbia, died Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, November 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Brian Gregory and David Morris officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Highland Church of Christ 497 East James Campbell Blvd, Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born on October 13, 1935 in Maury County, Tennessee to the late Earl Thomas Pilkinton, Sr. and Ida Mai Dugger Pilkinton. She graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1953 and David Lipscomb College in 1957 with a BS in Education. Mary taught a total of 43 years at Highland Park Elementary and Brown Elementary. She was a superstar volunteer at Maury Regional Auxiliary with over 26,000 hours, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the Maury County Retired Teachers Association. A lifelong dedicated member of Highland Church of Christ, where she was involved in the clothing ministry, children and ladies Bible classes.

Survivors include a sister, Rachel (David) Ammons of Knoxville; brother, Jim (Bennie) Pilkinton of Culleoka; sister in law, April Pilkinton of Columbia; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Martha (Carl) Esslinger; brothers, Earl Thomas (Colleen) Pilkinton, Jr. and William David Pilkinton.

Pallbearers will be Austin Pilkinton, Kelton Pilkinton, Copeland Esslinger, Collin Esslinger, Will Foster, Robert Foster, Michael Foster, Charlie Fraser and William Fraser. Honorary pallbearers will be Maury County Retired Teachers Association, Maury Regional Hospital Auxiliary, and Elders and Deacons of Highland Church of Christ.

The family would like to express a special thank you to NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center, staff at Maury Regional Medical Center, Steve McEwen, Thomas Duncan, Betty Lentz, Charlie Ann Dugger and many others that were a blessing for the care and love displayed.