Jacqueline Smith Hinkson, 93, of Strawn, passed away at home on Thursday, August 31, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at the Hinkson House (527 Central) on Monday, September 4th from 5-7pm with The Rosary being said at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Tuesday, September 5, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Strawn with burial immediately afterwards at Mt. Marion Cemetery.
Born August 5, 1930, in Palo Pinto, TX to Faye Chesnut and John H. Smith, Jacqueline married W.H. “Bill” Hinkson on August 3, 1953 at St. John’s.
Jacqueline went to elementary school in Palo Pinto and later attended school in Strawn, where she graduated in 1947. She attended Sul Ross State College in Alpine, earning a Bachelor of Science in History. She was named as the 1951 Campus Favorite as well as selected as a Who’s Who Among America’s Colleges & Universities. She taught school in Snyder and in the two-room school in Brad, Texas until 1951. In 1971, with six children at home, Jacqueline went back to school, to fulfill her lifelong goal of working in the medical field. She graduated in 1973 from Cisco Junior College as a licensed vocational nurse. For the next 10+ years, she worked as a nurse, first at Palo Pinto General and then at Eastland Memorial. After leaving nursing, she briefly worked at Langford’s Western Wear and then as the business manager at Strawn House of Flowers for the next 15+ years. When her husband Bill passed, she stepped in to continue the family’s 170-year ranching tradition; while she didn’t work the cattle, she knew the pastures where her cattle were grazing, when calves were headed to sale and made sure the operation was run well.
Jacqueline was active in the community throughout her life, especially her church. A long-time member of St. John’s, she was a member of the Altar society for more than 60 years, taught Catechism for many years, dutifully served as sacristan for the last several years, and was a “surrogate mom” to numerous priests and seminarians who served the church. Beyond the church, she was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, she helped run Strawn Greyhound concession stands for 20+ years, and for many years, served as an election worker in every election all the way into her mid-80s. She was a founding member of the Strawn Chamber, and was a strong supporter of the Strawn Historical Association. For the last 15 years, she led the Mt. Marion Cemetery Association and, with the help of family and friends, raised over $200,000 to restore, improve and maintain Strawn’s city cemetery. She was generous to her family, church & community right up until the end of her life.
Jacqueline had a lifelong passion for travel and crisscrossed the US with her husband, children and friends. She was a very independent woman and a fearless traveler who, along with her friend Janie, loaded up their young kids and drove to the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada making a road trip in an LTD Station Wagon with no men in tow – a gutsy, brave trip in those days. In her late 80s she discovered Italy and made numerous extended trips there with her family and friends. She is very likely sipping prosecco in Heaven.
Jacqueline had a large family of her own, but she had an even larger brood of “adopted kids” that were collected over the years. She was lovingly called “Mama Jack” by countless family & friends, whom she loved.
She is survived by her brother, Rob Smith and wife Tina, of Palo Pinto; her six children, Bill (Diana) Hinkson of Strawn, Kaylea (Eric) Warren of Tyler, Joni (Greg) Crawford of Strawn, Mark (Connie) Hinkson of Strawn, Stacy (Todd) Nicks of Aquilla and Jeff Hinkson of PK Lake. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends.
Mama (Mama Jack), you will be greatly missed but you had a life well lived and you inspired us all.
Until we meet again. Love you!
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Mount Marion Cemetery Association or to the Strawn Historical Association. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 479, Strawn, TX 76475.
