Kathleen Hinton

Kathleen Lewis Hinton of Hartfield, Virginia 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 December 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 all of Covington, Kentucky and grandniece, Beth Phillips Fleckinger and husband Kevin and daughter Elizabeth of Burlington, Kentucky.

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, Virginia on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 1:00 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.

Directions to H.C. Smither Memorial Cemetery: Cross the Coleman Bridge on 17 North and travel approximately 12 miles. Veer right onto 17 Business, Gloucester Courthouse. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Route 14. Continue on Route 14 for approximately 16 miles until arriving at a stop sign. Turn left onto Route 198. Travel on Route 198 for approximately 2 miles, turn right onto Smithers Lane (between 2 brick gate posts) and cemetery is located at the end of the lane.