The Shadow
Emory Clarke Hinkle Jr.
Mr. Emory Clarke Hinkle Jr., age 92, died Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Shelia S. Strauss Hospice House, Roanoke, Virginia. He was the husband of the late Lois Jean East Hinkle.
Mr. Hinkle was born October 24, 1934, in Alleghany County, Virginia, the son of Emory Clark Hinkle Sr. and Carrie Ellen Baker Hinkle Humphries. A lifetime resident of Covington, he was a graduate of Covington High School, Class of 1952.
In April 1954, Emory enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served four years on active duty, attaining the rank of Communications Technician First Class (CT1). Following boot camp at Bainbridge, Maryland, he was selected for Communications Technician school in Imperial Beach, California. He also attended Russian language school. Amid the mounting tensions of the Cold War era, he served as a cryptologist overseas in Guam then in the Philippines before returning stateside to Charleston, South Carolina. There Emory continued to serve in signals intelligence until he completed his active duty and returned home to Covington. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve until March 1962.
In October 1963, Emory attended the consecration service for the newly constructed Parrish Court Methodist Church. Miss Lois Jean East, the church organist, sang a special solo for the occasion. She was a former classmate. After the service, he complimented her on the music. They were married in that church on December 5, 1964.
Emory spent the majority of his career in the storeroom at Hercules, retiring after more than thirty-two years when the company was sold to AET. He continued to work at AET for four more years. In his early retirement, he volunteered at the Brian Center nursing home for many years. He also traveled to the Holy Land, a journey he had long dreamed of making.
Emory had a beautiful tenor voice. Often accompanied at the piano or organ by his wife Lois, his powerful voice filled various local churches and chapels until declining health kept him at home.
Emory was a longtime and active member of Faith Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and with the Men of Faith. He also sang as a member of the local gospel group Redeemed for several years.
In addition to his parents and his wife of sixty years, Mr. Hinkle was preceded in death by his dear sister, Ruth Carol Hinkle Knighton.
Mr. Hinkle is survived by his son, Glenn Allen Hinkle (Stephanie) of Covington; his daughter, Elaina Beth Hinkle Cole (Wayne) of Marietta, Georgia; his grandson, Jackson Clarke Hinkle (Maddi) and children, Sadie Lynn Hinkle and Lillie Sage Hinkle; his grandson, Austin Lee Hinkle (Courtney Hall) and children, Kyion Wayne Hall, Aubree Lauren Carroll, and Carter Allen Hinkle; and his niece, Susan Knighton Smith.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Faith Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Price officiating. Military honors will be conducted by Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Jackson Hinkle, Austin Hinkle, Ron Seabolt, Doug Shires, Steve All, Daniel Seay, Dan Fey, and Howard Nicely. Honorary pallbearer will be Mike Wade.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Faith Baptist Church, 311 Jackson Drive, Covington, VA 24426.
Loving Funeral Home is honored to handle the arrangements for our beloved friend and extended family member, Emory Hinkle. To view his memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
