James Robert Hinson

James Robert “Jimmy” Hinson of Moody, AL was born on September 18, 1954 in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan to James Reynolds Hinson, Jr and Lucile Miles Darden, and entered into Eternal Rest on September 24, 2022.

Cherishing Jimmy’s memory are two sisters: Mary (Lee) Minor of Hayden, AL, and Margaret Howard of Moody, AL; several cousins; and a number of nieces and nephews. Jimmy loved his sisters’ children and grandchildren as though they were his own. These nieces and nephews are David (Holly) Minor, Michelle (Karim) Tarabishy, Michael Howard, Dana (Gary Smith) Minor, Daniel Minor, and Denise Minor. Great nieces and nephews are Kayla Howard, Josh Minor, Kara Tarabishy, Cody Minor, Kyndall Minor, Owen Minor, Avery Minor, Baylee Smith, and Alivia Ortiz.

In addition to his parents, Jimmy was predeceased by his grandparents James Reynolds Hinson, Sr, and Mary Louise Ross Allen; Robert Robinson Darden Sr, and Lucile Guice Miles.

A sad event happened in Jimmy’s life shortly after Thanksgiving 1970, when he was hit by a stray bullet, which lodged in his spinal cord, leaving him a paraplegic. He returned to Huffman High School the following school year, graduating in 1973. During the summer of 1972 he had some additional inpatient physical therapy at Spain Rehabilitation Center, where he met and became a peer encourager to the late Governor George C. Wallace. He attended Jefferson State Junior College and Auburn University, eventually earning a Bachelor’s Degree from UAB.

In spite of Jimmy’s injury, he always managed to have a job during high school and between semesters at college. In time he pursued a career as a systems analyst, working at Southern Research, Jefferson County Department of Health, Carraway Methodist Medical Center, United Chair, and Infinity Insurance Company. Admirably, he lived independently more than forty-five years. Many of those years he was able to drive a car using hand controls. Jimmy would certainly want everyone to know he was an avid Auburn fan. He had strength and determination that some people can only dream of.

Jimmy was a devoted son, who helped to make his parents’ later years more comfortable than they would have been otherwise.

Jimmy had a special way of maintaining friendships. As a family, we are especially grateful to Biff and Elsa Staggs and Michelle Shaw who came and spent some time with him during those final hours.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 2:00 PM, preceded by Visitation at 1:00. Interment will follow at Forest Crest Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutstrussvillechapel.com for the Hinson family.