Mary Rose Hinkle, 78, of Marlinton went to be with the Lord on Aug. 14, 2022, at Henrico Doctors Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, just four days shy of her birthday, and after a period of declining health.
She was born Aug. 18, 1943, at Cherry Grove and was a daughter of the late Vernon and Hilda Gordon of Pendleton County.
She was a member of the 1961 Franklin High School graduating class.
Rose was very proud of her work history. At the age of 18, she worked as a secretary for Ford Motor Company in Franklin, and later as a waitress at George’s in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She then took a job as secretary at Franklin Elementary School where she worked until the birth of her first child. After several years of being an awesome stay-at-home mom, she went back into the work force with Pocahontas Construction Company in Marlinton once she was certain her boys could make their own breakfast before school and fend for themselves in the afternoons. For the construction company, she worked on a road paving crew as a certified nuclear compaction technician, a certification that filled her with much satisfaction.
On June 23, 1962, she married the love of her life, Ralph J. Hinkle, and they shared 57 wonderful years together until his death in 2019.
The couple had many adventures together, not the least of which was raising two boys. From riding motorcycles and snowmobiles, to camping and hunting, they were always together and always on the go. They enjoyed country, gospel and bluegrass music and were faithful followers of Juanita Fireball and the Continental Drifters.
She was an active member of the Huntersville United Methodist Church.
She loved her extended family of many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, her church family at Huntersville United Methodist and many, many friends. She was a generous woman and will be missed very much.
Surviving are two sons, Patrick Hinkle and wife, Eliza of Sylva, North Carolina, and Michael Hinkle and wife, Melinda of Mechanicsville, Virginia; six grandchildren (blessings), Tyler, John, Tori, Sallie, Janie, and Derek; a brother, Terry Gordon and wife, Judy of Circleville; and a special “rent-a-kid,” Brooke Padgett of Mineral, Virginia.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Rodger Gordon; and a sister, Judy Propst.
A funeral service was held Friday at the Kimble Funeral Home in Marlinton with Pastor Sam Felton officiating. A graveside service was held Saturday at the North Fork Memorial Cemetery in Riverton with Pastor Jason Felici officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Huntersville United Methodist Church, 471 Burr Valley Road, Marlinton, WV 24954.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.
