Kathleen Lewis Hinton of Hartfield, Va., died at home on June 29, 2013 after an extended illness at the age of 89.
Her husband, William Leo Hinton, Deputy Fire Chief at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, predeceased her on Dec. 10, 1980.
She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Hinton Dezern and her son-in-law Ray W. Dezern Jr.; a sister, Evelyn Phillips; and a nephew, John Phillips and his wife Elsie, Beth P. Fleckinger and husband Kevin and daughter Elizabeth, all of Covington, Ky.
Kathleen worked as a test chemist at Armaco Steel in Ashland, Kentucky, during World War II. She relocated to Virginia after her marriage to William Leo Hinton. She may be remembered by many folks in the area as the “Peach Lady.” She and her husband operated Hinton’s Peach Orchard for 30 years at the Piankatank River Bridge in Middlesex County, Virginia. At one time, it was the largest peach orchard east of the Shenandoah Valley with 4,500 peach trees. Their peaches were enjoyed by locals, governors and international leaders visiting Williamsburg from abroad. Thereafter, the orchard was operated for several years by Mrs. Hinton and Henry Bendall, a family friend. Later, the orchard became a family collaborative effort and ceased operation in 1994.
She was a member of the Gloucester Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 50 years. She loved to encourage people to read their Bible and learn more about God’s Kingdom.
A graveside service will be conducted at H.C. Smither Memorial Cemetery in Mathews County, Va., on Saturday, July 6, 2013, at 1 p.m.
Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, 160 Main Street, Mathews, Va., is handling funeral arrangements.
The family may be contacted at P.O. Box 67, Cobbs Creek, Va. 23035. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, consideration be given to making a donation to one’s favorite charity.