Mark Eric Pinkston

Family will receive friends on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m. at New Covenant Believers Church, 3400 Kohr Blvd., Columbus, OH 43224. Interment: Glenrest Memorial Estates.

To watch the livestream service for Mr. Mark E. Pinkston copy and paste this link https://youtube.com/@ncbconline3400

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to:  CurePSP.org

Mark Eric Pinkston was the first-born child of Beatrice Pinkston. Throughout his childhood, Mark spent some of his time riding dirt bikes and racing Tyco slot cars. He often got in trouble for getting home too late or some other reason. For him, the fun was worth it. His sisters learned what NOT to do to stay out of trouble from him.  At school, he was in the concert band and Jazz band at Roosevelt Jr High School, playing his saxophone that he continued to play throughout his life. Mark also learned to play bass guitar. While at East High School, Mark was a cheerleader. In his high school years Mark and his sister Lisa took care of their mother as she battled with Leukemia. This was Mark’s first time being a care giver. Afterward he often took care of family when they were sick, including his grandmother Elsie, grandfather William and sister Lisa, after she had emergency surgery.

Mark met Valerie Howard, while both were on cheer teams of different schools. After they graduated, they married and had their son, Mark II before separating.

Mark became a pharmacy technician and worked in Saint Anthony Hospital pharmacy. While there, he was promoted to Bulk Stores Supervisor and eventually to Material Management department.

While at St. Anthony he and Beverly Pace met, married and eventually had another son, Ngozi.  Mark also joined the Columbus Division of Fire (CFD) as a firefighter and became a medic at Station 15 and later Station 30. His work with CFD included working EMS 22. Mark made public appearances as the department mascot “Sparky,” was in a band of firefighters, and the Juvenile Firestarter program. Mark’s sons, nieces, nephews, and close friends enjoyed visiting him at the station and playing on the firetrucks.

He was also an active member of Rock of Faith Baptist Church, where he convinced his sisters to join. While there, he was on the Praise Team, the band and later he was ordained as a deacon. Recently he joined Mt. Vernon AME Church where he also played with the band and joined the Men’s’ group.

He was introduced to community theater, which turned into a lifelong passion. Some of his favorites were, Mama’s Drama, The Meeting, and Black Nativity.

Mark worked at Mansion Day School. As a kid at heart, he enjoyed helping at the school with Field Days, school plays, programs, and concerts. He also was a music and gym teacher. He helped with field trips and Kids Night Out. He was affectionately called Mr. Mark. He introduced the kids to many activities and gave them encouragement.

Mark is remembered by friends and family as a man that could give important advice, living life to the fullest, a man of God, and a family man. To many he's Big Mark, Mr. Mark, Uncle Mark, or Pinky. Mark has touched the lives of many, and those that know him feel fortunate to have done so. He has pushed those around him to be better and pursue new activities.

When his sons were still at home, they used to ask when's dad coming home? He is finally home and at rest in the arms of Jesus. He has joined ancestors, Beatrice Pinkston, Elsie and William Pinkston, Tyrone Pinkston, Brenda Pinkston, and William (Peewee) Pleasant. He is greatly missed by his wife Beverly; sons Mark II (Sara), and Ngozi; sisters Lisa, Crystal, Kimberly (Jamie) Peppers , Denise Pace, Richard (Denna) Pace, Rosalind (Otis) Glover, grandchildren Nevaeh, Nathalia and Mark III; many close friends including the James family;  Chapman family, Loren (Debbie) Couch, Vinnie Bowman, Tracy (Daphne) Byers, Betty Upchurch, Donovan Francis, Jesse Robinson, Mike Sowell, Paul Young, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many others.

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