Patricia Catherine Hinkle

Patricia Catherine Hinkle, 86 passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Monday, July 3, in Coppell, Texas.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Plains, Texas, at 2 p.m., July 8. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ratliff Funeral Homes.

Pat was born on November 12, 1936, in Banbury, England to Catherine and Jack Barson. She married Don Hinkle, of Plains, Texas, on April 27, 1957, also in Banbury, England. After traveling the world as a family Don retired from the military, they moved back to Plains. Pat’s sister and brother-in-law, Pam and Brian Smith, later moved from Banbury to Plains and lived across the street from the Hinkles for many years.

Pat was a devoted mother and grandmother and a long-time pillar of the Plains community. She worked for many years as the secretary to the superintendent of the Plains Independent School District and was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Plains. After retiring from PISD she and Don moved to Granbury to be closer to their grandchildren. While there they enjoyed entertaining family visitors, and spending time with new friends and fellow military veterans on the Pecan Plantation housing development. The last two years she lived at the Haven at Lewisville Lake in Lewisville, Texas where she met many more friends. Pat was a champion puzzler, enjoyed laughter and good times with others, and was a rock for her community. Above all, Pat was dedicated to her family: her husband Don; her three sons RJ, Michael and Russell; and her sister Pam, who she spoke to every day until just a few days before her passing.

Pat was preceded in death by Don, Michael and Russell, as well as her grandson Elijah Hinkle, and parents Catherine and Jack. She is survived by her son R.J. and his wife Pam, of Coppell, Texas, and two grandchildren, Austin and Katy, sister Pam Smith and husband Brian, sisters-in-law Lucile Kirkland, Faye Nelms, Ruth Murphree and husband, Larry.