W.T. Shumake & Daughters

December 17, 1940 - November 5, 2024

Jeanitta V. Thompkins Hinkle, 83, of Louisville transitioned to her heavenly home on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Norton Brownsboro Hospital.

Visitation 10:30am - 12pm Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Community Missionary Baptist Church 4909 E. Indian Trail. Funeral to follow at 12pm. Interment 11am Monday, November 18, 2024 at Resthaven Memorial Gardens.

Jeanitta V. Thompkins Hinkle’s sunrise was on December 17, 1940. Her proud parents were Albert Adolphus Thompkins and Fannie Mae Crumes Thompkins, and she was the oldest daughter of their six children. Jeanitta accepted Christ at an early age and was, first, a member of Hill Street Baptist Church and then Watson Memorial Baptist Church. Later in life, she joined Community Missionary Baptist Church on September 17, 1972.

She graduated from Central High School Class of 1958 and continued her educational endeavors at Sullivan College of Business, University of Louisville, and Bellarmine College. Her educational endeavors prepared her for employment. In her younger years, Jeanitta worked at Woolworths while being a dedicated wife and mother. Her professional career began at General Electric as an administrative assistant in Legal Operations, and after 26 years of employment, Jeanitta retired.

Jeanitta was a nurturing mother not only to her daughters but also cared for her younger siblings during her mother's illness. She graciously took others under her wings as a teenager and looked after ten neighborhood families' children as their babysitter. Jeanitta embodied an instinct to care for others and did unto others as she would want for herself. She not only enjoyed nurturing others but also loved nurturing her plants and flowers while watching them grow.
Blessed with a God-given talent to sew, Jeanitta was a talented seamstress who created, in their younger years, beautiful dresses, pant suits, and matching outfits for her two daughters, Elyce and Kandyce. Her “grand seamstress finale” was the making of two lovely, crafted wedding gowns for her daughters to wear on their very special wedding days. Besides sewing, Jeanitta enjoyed spending time with friends, swimming, and playing games like Po Ke No, bunco, and bowling. Jeanitta participated in several bowling leagues throughout the years and took pleasure in the game on into her elder years.

In tradition with the Thompkins family, Jeanitta preferred to keep busy with a purpose. When her past activities were no more, she favored creating Memory Booklets. Her booklets displayed pictures of treasured memories, history, and special dated occasions to be remembered by loved ones. Jeanitta took considerable pride in researching, developing, and designing these PowerPoint presentations. Eventually, she expanded to personally delivering and mailing her completed “memory booklets” to share with those she cherished so much.

Jeanitta adored her own Central High School Graduating Class of 1958 and was awarded an Honorable Recognition Certificate for participation in their 1958 Class Reunions and Celebration events. She was also an active member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). Jeanitta served as president and secretary for her Neighborhood Civic Club. As a member of Community Missionary Baptist Church, she participated in church ministries whereby she gave her time to Vacation Bible School; taught Sunday School; was secretary and president of the usher board; and was a member of the first Women's Seminar Committee.

Jeanitta was united in holy matrimony, on July 29, 1960, to Norman T. Hinkle and to this union two children blessed their lives, Elyce (Lisa) and Kandyce. Jeanitta and Norman were married 61glorious years. Through their years of togetherness, they enjoyed extensive traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, and Europe, and there they visited Rome and Venice. After Europe, they visited several Islands. Their last treasured trip was Martha's Vineyard.

Jeanitta was preceded in death by parents, Albert and Fannie Thompkins; husband, Norman T. Hinkle; and brothers, Terrell and Reginald Thompkins. She was a much beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and servant of GOD, who was called home to be with the Lord on November 5, 2024. Jeanitta Hinkle leaves behind to cherish their memories of her: two daughters, Elyce (Lisa) Pierce and Kandyce Groves (Gary Groves); grandchildren, Isaiah Pierce, Jasmine Groves and Jayla Groves; sisters, Denise Pass and Kandyce Santiago (Hector); brother, Adolphus Thompkins; sister-in-law, Allana Thompkins; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.