Phyllis Hess Hinkle's Obituary
Phyllis Hess Hinkle, 87, went to be with the Lord on September 21, 2025. She was the daughter of P.S. Hess and Margaret Chamblin Hess Deal, and the stepdaughter of Floyd W. Deal. Her grandparents were Emma and Phillip Hess and Mayme and B.T. Chamblin.
Phyllis was born in Memphis on June 16, 1938, and was a 1956 graduate of Central High School. She was an officer in Delta Alpha Delta National Sorority, later being elected as National President. She studied Journalism at UT-Knoxville, where she was secretary of Delta Gamma Sorority and on the Orange and White newspaper staff.
Phyllis retired after working in the Dr. Scholl's Division and the Coppertone research lab at Schering Plough for 20 years. While at Plough, she continued her education, receiving an Associate's Degree in Business from Shelby State Community College, then completing her Journalism Degree at Memphis State University.
Writing was her favorite pastime, and she had several pieces published in Memphis Magazine, as well as articles in various trade journals. She liked to write short stories, poetry and songs. She had a song recorded on the Phillips' label (Sun Records).
Phyllis and her son, Chris, spent many years vacationing at Pensacola Beach, Gulf Shores, and most recently, Orange Beach, Alabama. She enjoyed the beach, the ocean, collecting shells, and really loved the dolphins. She also loved anything purple. Purple was definitely her favorite color. Music was also a favorite pastime and she played piano by ear. She loved to read books, especially biographies and mystery novels.
Her greatest joy in life was her son, Chris, and she was so proud of his accomplishments, being a guitarist in several local bands, and his ability to write many of the songs they performed.
Phyllis was a member of Grimes Memorial United Methodist Church, where she served as president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship during her high school years. Her favorite Bible verse was from John 14, "Let not your heart be troubled..." Her most loved hymns were, "God Will Take Care of You" and "Does Jesus Care."
In addition to her son, Chris Hess Hinkle, Phyllis leaves her brother, Floyd W. Deal, Jr., her sister, Nancy Deal, and Nancy's daughter, Taylor Grisham Bland, and her son, James Maddox, along with many cousins and friends, and also a special aunt, Joan Chamblin of Columbia, S.C.
This obituary was written by Phyllis and she leaves her family and friends with this request: Just remember the good times and let not your heart be troubled.
Graveside service will be at Memorial Park Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
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