Skip to content

Obituaries 03/16/2023

Diana Wane Hinton

WATER VALLEY – Diana Wane Hinton, 73, of Water Valley died Thursday, March 9, 2023, at her home in Water Valley. She was surrounded by loved ones.

Diana was born September 20, 1949, in Cleveland to the late Lavert Wayne and Edna Mae (Lovelady) Hill. She graduated from Oxford High School in 1967. Afterwards she traveled for a while, visiting many places and living in San Francisco, New Orleans and Galveston Island, Texas. After returning to Mississippi, she planted some roots around Hattiesburg where Seth, the light of her world was born.

Diana earned a bachelor’s in education from the University of Southern Miss in 1991. While living in Hintonville, she began her teaching career in McClain where she taught science and language arts to middle school students.
In 2001, Diana and Seth moved to Water Valley, where she taught at the high school until her retirement in 2011. She continued to work as a substitute teacher until 2016. If you asked her students, many would say Mrs. Hinton was their favorite teacher. Diana strongly believed in political and social justice. She participated in the 1963 March on Washington where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famed “I Have a Dream” speech. She also assisted in the Bill Clinton presidential campaign. Diana was a talented genealogy sleuth, making strong connections with many relatives, especially reconnecting and growing a significant bond with her beloved cousin, Carol, whom she grew up with. Diana was actively engaged with an expansive group of friends on social media, where she managed many local resale groups. She enjoyed searching for treasures often considered as trash by others and yard sales, always with an eye out for a special rabbit to add to her collection. Diana found much comfort and support from her online community, where she developed many deep connections – all of whom the family expresses utmost gratitude for, especially during her long battle with cancer. Diana was loved by many near and far all of whom will miss her dearly.

Visitation was held Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 1 until 3 p.m. A service remembering Diana followed in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks.

Diana is survived by one son, Everett “Seth” Hinton and one sister, Beverly Hill. As a second mother to many including a special niece, Stacy (Scott) Cofer and family, as well as many other nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces, she leaves many family members.

Along with her parents, Diana was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerald Hill and Robert Hill.

Mattie Lou Rounsaville Pinkerton

WATER VALLEY – Mattie Lou Rounsaville Pinkerton, age 92, of Water Valley, departed this life Monday, March 6, 2023 at the Yalobusha County Nursing Home in Water Valley. She was born August 1, 1930, to the late Francis Herron Rounsaville and Elner Stewart Rounsaville in the Pine Valley community of Yalobusha County. She attended both Pine Valley and Jeff Davis schools.

Mattie was a lifelong member of Mt. Liberty Church in Calhoun County and attended faithfully until a decline in her health. She was a past president of The Pink Ladies at the Yalobusha County Nursing Home and delighted in volunteering in this capacity. She also was a lifetime member of the VFW ladies Auxiliary and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Mattie retired in 1992 from Big Yank Corp as a supervisor after 41 years in the garment industry. She moved through the ranks from being a sewing operator to floor lady in charge of the most complicated operations in the manufacture of denim jeans.

As much as Mattie loved working and volunteering, she loved her family the most. She was affectionately called “The First Lady” by her family. Mattie loved to spoil her family with her signature dishes and always had an open door for Sunday lunch.

Visitation was held Saturday, March 11, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from noon until 2 p.m. A service honoring her life followed with Bro. Jim Pinkerton officiating. Burial was in Mt. Liberty Cemetery.
Mattie is survived by one daughter, Sandra (David) Smith of Water Valley; one son, Ron (Susan) Pinkerton of Rockwall, Texas; three grandchildren, Melonie (Mike) White of Senatobia, Shayna Pinkerton of Wylie, Texas and Christina (Zachary) Mathias of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; two step-grandchildren, Alan (Pam) Smith and Jason (Nicole) Smith; four great grandchildren, Micah White, Mitchell White, and Michael Lane White, all of Senatobia, and Jeremiah Ray of Lucas, Texas; six step-great-grandchildren; a brother, George (Teri) Rounsaville of Water Valley; a host of nephews and nieces; and a special friend and neighbor, Flora Mills.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Odee Pinkerton; her parents; and a brother, James (Barbara) Rounsaville of Water Valley.

1 Comment

  1. Tony chrestman on March 17, 2023 at 6:06 am

    So sorry to hear about Ms Pinkerton. My mother, Mattie Chrestman, worked with Ms Pinkerton, at Rice Stix/Big Yank in 50’s and were good friends. I believe the husband’s played softball together. Again, so sorry for your loss. Tony Chrestman 931.224.0674

Leave a Comment