Wanda D Hinkle

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and friend, Wanda Hinkle, traveled to her Heavenly Home on January 1st, 2022; she was 95 years “young”. She passed away, surrounded by love, at her daughters’ home.

Wanda was born in July of 1926, in Huntington, WVA, to Naomi and Frank Adkins. She graduated from Huntington East High School, where she played in the band and was a “sorority girl”. She also met the love of her life whom she later married in August of 1948. In 1959 they relocated to Tampa, FL where her husband accepted a position with Eastern Airlines. Throughout the years, their happy home was a magnet where all the neighborhood children came to play. She was a wonderful Mother who was a big believer in being involved and could always be counted on to bring goodies to her children’s classrooms, volunteer to chaperone or drive for school events and was beloved by all.

She also loved her church, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was one of the original charter members. Wanda supported the church before it was even an actual church, meeting in a civic center until the church eventually “broke ground”. Over the years she taught Sunday School, Bible School, was a member of the Ruth Circle, worked in the nursery and helped wherever needed. She also created the “Gad-Abouts” group for senior men and women, where she planned outings to plays, restaurants and local events to keep everyone “moving and shaking”. She had a huge heart and was loved by everyone who knew her.

She was also a big traveler, having journeyed to England, Paris, Denmark, Ireland, Scotland and Switzerland (to name a few) with her Cousin Boyd, always returning with wonderful stories and memories to share.

Wanda was preceded in passing by her best friend and husband of 32 years, Basil “Tiff” Hinkle and survived and lovingly remembered by her daughter Denise Henkel (Hugh), son Roger Hinkle (Ivy), daughter Janine Taylor, her grandchildren, Chris Hinkle (Jessica), Matt Hinkle (Ariel), Sarah Henkel, Sean Henkel, David Rothenberg (Moonhyung) and Phillip Hulme (Debbie) and her four great grandchildren, Bella, Rosie, Gia and Jamison.

A “Celebration of Wanda’s Life” will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 15th, at her beloved church, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Memorial Highway, Tampa, FL 33615 and officiated by Pastor Ernie Post.

Her Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22nd, at Sylvan Abby Cemetery, 3853 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL 33759.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Wesleymemorial.net

Special thanks to the staff of Hospice Life Path (Pink Team) for their care and support and to the staff of her beloved church, for all their help in making her Celebration of Life special.

You may be physically gone from our lives, but your love and the wonderful memories we have will be carried in our hearts always.