It is with great sadness the family of Linda Hinkel, 74, of Austin, Texas, announces that she passed away June 24, 2023 surrounded by loving family after her fourth battle with melanoma. She was born on Dec.12, 1948, in McMinnville and resided in Austin, Texas at the time of her death.
She was an energetic athlete her entire life, enjoying hiking and caving. She was also an avid runner who completed several marathons and many short-to-mid distance races over the years, often running with her husband Jim or daughter Alyssa. She also enjoyed dancing as well as playing co-recreational softball with her family on into her fifties.
She loved pushing her grandchildren in a jogging stroller and was a dedicated mother and grandmother, attending the children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and concerts throughout their school years, vociferously cheering them on.
At home, she was a great cook and baker who took special pride in fixing everyone’s favorite dishes and desserts at holiday and birthday events, typically making enough to feed a small army to ensure nobody left hungry and they would have leftovers of their favorites to take home. She was also an exceptional seamstress who took pleasure in making formal dresses for her daughter Alyssa throughout grade and high school as well as shirts, vests, suits and other garments or items for family members whenever requested, such as car and airplane seat covers.
She was a perfectionist at whatever she did whether it be housekeeping, painting, sewing or yardwork. Jim often joked that she couldn’t ever make a living wage at her hobbies or projects, as nobody would pay enough for her commitment to such a high level of quality.
Her health challenges slowed her down in recent years, but she would often still be outside doing yardwork as best she could, and she never shied away from any house project for as long as she was physically able. She became an avid reader over time and especially enjoyed reading about or watching war documentaries and movies.
Linda will be remembered for her dedication to her husband, children and grandchildren as well as her sweet and kind nature. Her commitment to her family’s well-being and her unconditional and deep love for people of all walks of life, as well as love of animals, was appreciated by all who entered her orbit and will be remembered. Her loving spirit will continue to live in our hearts and minds forever.
She was predeceased by her son, Troy Pennington (earlier this year); brother, George Whiteaker; parents, John and Eva Whiteaker; nephews, William (Bill) Sparkman and Larry Morton; and bothers-in-law, Bill Jones and Ernest Morton. Survivors include her spouse for forty-two years, Jim Hinkel; daughter, Alyssa Hopkinson (Keith Hopkinson); grandsons, Mason Belk, Bryer Belk and Cole Pennington; and sisters, Pearl Morton, Wanda Sherwood (Phil Sherwood) and Winnie Jones.
Linda was very loved and is deeply missed. The family is in the process of arranging a memorial service for Linda and will announce details when available.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donations to Hospice Austin (https://www.hospiceaustin.org/get-involved/donate/donation-form/) or to the Melanoma Research Alliance (https://give.curemelanoma.org/give/296895/#!/donation/checkout).
Please memorialize your favorite stories about and pictures with Linda at https://everloved.com/life-of/linda-kay-hinkel/obituary/
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) July 21, 2023
