Lida Pirkle

Lida Emily Westbrook Pirkle, 92, retired educator, died Wednesday, July 8, 2009, following a brief illness.

Born in Forsyth County, she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Westbrook of Chestnut Mountain. Her career spanned 35 years of teaching math, science, physics, home economics, and elementary education in Floyd, Hart, Hall, Gwinnett, Jackson, and Barrow counties. She was a 1938 graduate of Berry College, received her Master's of Education from the University of Georgia in 1962, and was a National Science Foundation scholar. Mrs. Pirkle was preceded in death by her husband Jack Pirkle; and brothers, Cecil Westbrook, Marietta, and Hugh Westbrook, Gainesville.

Survivors include a sister, Louise Westbrook McGowan, Chestnut Mountain; daughters and son-in-law: Frances Benson, Moultrie, and Jack and Ada Spruill, Hoschton; grandchildren and their families: Scott, Jackie, and Conor Batson and Jordan Benson of Alpharetta; Robert, Brooke, Charlie, Wyatt, and Ben Spruill of Moultrie; Shannon, Carol, Emma, and Clayborn Lawrence of Kite; and Cliff, Abby, and John Tippens of Jackson.

Memorial services are planned for Saturday July 18, at 10 a.m., at Hoschton United Methodist Church.

Wages and Sons, Lawrenceville, is in charge of arrangements.