Gary L. Hinkle

Reverend Gary L. Hinkle, 65, was received into the loving arms of his Savior March 25, 2017 in Fort Smith. He was born June 20, 1951, in Fort Smith Arkansas, one of eight children, to Chester and Dorothy Hinkle. He was a 1969 graduate from Northside High School. Gary was drafted into the United States Army in in 1971. He became a Deacon at Saint James Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 17. He later became Pastor of the same church, St. James Missionary Baptist, for 34 years. He received his License to minister on June 11, 1978 and was ordained February 8, 1981. On May 1, 1999, Reverend Hinkle received a diploma in Christian Education from the Oklahoma School of Religion. He was a certified teacher in both district and state. He also received a Diploma in Theology in 2002. Reverend Hinkle was the visionary, for over 22 years, for the tutoring program bearing his name. His witness was his ministry. He started the P.O.W. (PEOPLE OUT WITNESSING) at his church. He humbly served as Moderator of the Antioch District for 16 years and was Secretary for Arkansas Regular Baptist Convention. Reverend Hinkle also served many years as Treasurer of the Fort Smith, Van Buren and vicinity Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. Survived by loving wife of 47 years Virginia Hinkle; five children, three adopted children and four daughters in love, Gary Hinkle Jr. of Little Rock, Ann Glover (Alan), Jennifer Hinkle, Shawn Hinkle, Vuanita Hinkle, Rafiel Hinkle, Kalia Hinkle, Davion Hinkle, Ruthia Jones, Shaunta Waldon, Teagr'a Waldon, Jasmine Waldon; his grandkids, Deadrian Hinkle (Sarah), Miranda Hinkle, Jaivin Glover, Jalea Hinkle, Gage Griffin, Keanan Glover, Jajuan Thorne, Alayna Glover, Alan J. his mother Dorothy Hinkle; his siblings Chester Hinkle Jr. (Shirley), Connie Alexander (Joseph), Alice Shell, Wanda Lee (Greg), Phyllis Williams, Michael Hinkle (Lisa), Lesia Edmondson (Isaiah), as well as a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. The family will greet friends and relatives from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2017 at St. James Missionary Church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017 at East Side Baptist Church. Burial, with United States Army honors, will be 11 a.m. Monday at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.