SPC. Mark Anthony Piper, 39

ELLENDALE - SPC. Mark Anthony Piper, of Ellendale, departed this life suddenly on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, in Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C., following the repast of his brother Gary Vines Sr. He was 39. Mark was born Dec. 20, 1969, in Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford, to Martha M. Piper of Ellendale, and the late Willie H. Vines Sr. Mark was the seventh child of eight children. After graduating from Milford Senior High School in 1989, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1991 serving with the 945th Service Company C & C Milford, and then recently transferred to Unit 262 Maintenance, Dagsboro. Mark received the following honors: National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (5th) award, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Oversees Training Ribbon, (3rd award) Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal, Overseas service bar, and Armed forces reserve medal with bronze hourglass. He was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom stationed in Kuwait from Sept., 7 2004 until Oct. 11, 2005, and he volunteered in September (2007) for border patrol with Mexico as part of the federal government's Operation Jump Start in Nogales, Ariz. He loved his country and served it with great pride. At the time of his untimely death he was employed as a driver for over 12 years for Atlantic Concrete, Milford. In addition, he began his own business in 2008 in which he owned and operated M. A. Piper Trucking. Mark attended Bethel A.M.E. Church in Milton. He sang in the junior choir in his earlier years and was a member of the YPD. Mark attended several other churches. He loved talking about how the Lord has truly blessed him. He recently began attending Welcome Full Gospel Holiness Church in Slaughter Neck, under the leadership of Bishop Jaime Hazzard. Mark enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He always looked forward to telling jokes at family gatherings and disguising his voice over the telephone with who ever he came in contact with. Mark always had something humorous to tell you; leaving you falling over in lots of laughter. Mark was known to many as "Pipedogg" and well liked by all that knew him and loved by many. He loved to travel and enjoyed going fishing. He enjoyed attending Milford High School football and basketball games. He was a San Francisco 49ers fanatic fan. In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Frances and Herman Piper Sr.; two sisters, Juanita L. Piper- Loper and Parenthia Piper; two brothers, Marshall W. Piper and Gary Vines Sr. He leaves to cherish loving memories a son, Mark Anthony Phillips of Greenwood; his mother, Martha M. Piper of Ellendale; seven sisters, Shirley Piper of Ellendale, Francine Piper of Milton, Darlene Piper of Dover, Sandra Piper-Waters (husband Ricky) of Milford, Mary Roberson of Greenville, N.C., Shirley Davis of Bowie, Md., Barbara Adams (husband Jack) of Lancaster, S.C.; one brother, Willie Vines Jr. (wife Linda) of Laurel, Md; a special friend, Crystal Cannon and her children, Kavoun and Unique Cannon; a great aunt, Roberta Burton of Milton; five uncles, David H. Piper (wife Ardith), Samuel L. Piper, Arthur J. Piper (wife Elvenlene), Noah T. Piper (wife Eunice), and Paul E. Piper; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many numerous special friends, including 945th Service Company C & C and 262 Maintenance Company Unit in Dagsboro. A viewing will be held on Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bennie Smith Funeral Home in Milford, and on Saturday at Welcome Full Gospel Holiness Church in Slaughter Neck, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Welcome Full Gospel Holiness Church, Slaughter Neck. SPC Mark Anthony Piper will be laid to rest on Monday at 11 a.m. in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro, with full military honors service.