Margaret Elizabeth Hinton
Margaret Elizabeth Ross Hinton, 81, of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, died peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 4, 2011, in Austin, Texas, after a swift and courageous confrontation with pancreatic cancer. Mrs. Hinton was born on July 6, 1930, in Lockhart, Texas, to Dr. Abner and Mrs. Ruth DeNiff Ross. She received her preliminary education at Lockhart High School and Stephen’s Coll
ege in Missouri before heading off to Austin where she attended the University of Texas. On April 14, 1951, Margaret married Charles A. “Andy” Hinton, in Lockhart, Texas, and moved to Mt. Pleasant where they made their home.
Margaret made a lasting contribution to archeology by promoting the multi-decade scientific excavation of an important Mimbres Indian ruin at the family’s ranch in New Mexico. The body of information retrieved from this excavation by Texas A&M University has led to numerous published scientific papers, graduate degrees, and one of the most authoritative books on the Mimbres people. Mrs. Hinton donated the many artifacts, including beautifully artistic pottery vessels, to Western New Mexico University for future generations of scientific research and public enjoyment.
Northeast Texas Community College was also a recipient of Mrs. Hinton’s generosity upon her donation of her Caddo Indian Pottery Collection.
Mrs. Hinton was a passionate supporter of Texas A&M University. She served as the first woman on the Board of the Corps Development Council for thirteen years and served on the Board of the Federation of Texas A&M University Mothers’ Clubs. She and her husband, Andy, were founding members of the President’s Endowed Scholars and were Eppright Distinguished Donors for the 12th Man Foundation.
Since 1951, Mrs. Hinton has been an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant. In addition to her countless hours of service, she gave Sunshine House, which has served as Sunday School space and as a community meeting space. She was a member of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician, a Christian healing ministry.
Being proud of her strong Texas Heritage and a great-great grandfather who fought in the Battle of San Jacinto for Texas’ Independence, she was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Throughout her life, she blessed many people with her loving and caring touch. She reached out to those who were forgotten and lost never wanting recognition. We celebrate and honor the wonderful person that she was.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Charles A. “Andy” Hinton; her parents, Dr. Abner Alverly and Ruth Ross; and brothers, Abner Alverly Ross, Jr, and Jack DeNiff Ross.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and David Hampton, of Austin; son, Ross Hinton, of Fredericksburg; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Susan Hinton, of Georgetown, and Chuck and Linda Hinton, of Mt. Pleasant; eight grandchildren: Weston, Caitlin and Andrea Hinton, Elizabeth and Sarah Hinton, Travis and Amanda Hinton and Madison Hampton; two great-grandchildren, Charley and AnnMarie Hinton; her brother, Abner Alverly “Bubba” Ross, III; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and precious friends.
Special thanks and much love to those who helped care for her at Titus Regional Medical Center. The third floor staff of the Plaza at Querencia in Austin became like family and nurtured, loved and cared for her and her family. We thank them with all of our hearts.
Funeral services were held in Lockhart, Texas, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Lockhart City Cemetery. A memorial service to celebrate Mrs. Hinton’s life will be held in Mt. Pleasant at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Friday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m.
Serving as pallbearers were Terry Scoggin, Art Scharlach, Weston Hinton, Travis Hinton, Bill Burford, Jack Ross and Clark Ross. Honorary pallbearers were Charlie Ross, Clay Ross, Raleigh Ross and Harlie Cox.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Western New Mexico University, Margaret R. Hinton Nan Ranch Collection Research Fund at P.O. Box 680, Silver City, New Mexico 88062.
Local arrangements with Eeds Funeral Home, 408 S. Main St., Lockhart, Texas 78644. (512) 398-2343. Other arrangements courtesy of Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes and Crematory Services, (512) 458-8811.
