Obituary of Glenna M. Hinton

Glenna Mae Gaines Hinton was born on New Year’s Day, January 1, 1931 and departed this life to be with the Lord on March 19, 2019.  She was raised by her parents, the late Mattie Jones Gaines and Lawrence Gaines in Salisbury, North Carolina.  Glenna thrived as a child and excelled academically. She received her education from the public-school system, graduating from the J.C.  Price High School as third in her class at the young age of sixteen.

Glenna’s academic success led her to be awarded a scholarship to Spellman College, however she was unable to accept the challenge.  Due to her young age, her parents did not feel comfortable sending her to college so far away from home. However, through the Grace of God, Glenna attended Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Natural Science with the intent of continuing her education in Nursing.  Glenna came to Newark, New Jersey with some of her family friends to pursue her career ambition.

The church and her love for the Lord were the staple in Glenna’s life. Soon after arriving to Newark, she joined Mount Calvary Baptist Church under the late Reverend Dr. Wendell Mapson Sr.; Glenna regularly attended Sunday school and sang with the choir.  Shortly thereafter, she was introduced to her late husband and the love of her life, Robert E. Hinton.  In 1955, she and Robert were married at Mount Calvary by Reverend Mapson.

While Glenna continued to pursue her dream of Nursing, she worked many jobs including Charms Candy Company in Bloomfield, New Jersey as a Quality Control Technician. Later, she began to substitute teach in Newark and found fulfillment working with younger children; this sparked a desire for Glenna to change her professional career towards education.  She attended Seton Hall university in South Orange, New Jersey where she received her degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition, Glenna completed graduate courses in Communication Studies from Kean University, formally, Kean College located in Union, New Jersey.

Glenna’s love for children and teaching made her a compassionate education professional. She taught in the elementary schools in Paterson, New Jersey for over 29 years and retired in 1995.  For many years, Glenna also shared her gift of teaching with her local community by working as a Curriculum Specialist for the LeBaron Learning Centers of the Oranges under the direction of the late Mrs. Lucretia B. and Leon Jemmont.

Throughout the years, Glenna maintained her Essex County residency and moved from Newark to East Orange, New Jersey where she ultimately joined Calvary Baptist Church located in East Orange.  Glenna served many years as the Chairwomen of the Board of Christian Education and the Director of the Daily Vacation Bible School.  She was a member of both the Senior and Celestial Choirs and served on the Scholarship Committee and Silver Leaf Club.  Glenna was a member of Calvary for 62 years.

Giving back to the community was very important to Glenna. While at Calvary Baptist Church, Glenna met the late Mrs. Mamie Brown who introduced and encouraged her to join the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Inc., Section of the Oranges, under the presidency of the late Mrs. Lawrence.  Glenna became very active in many NCNW programs serving as Chair and Co-Chair of the Harambie Breakfast, the Toy Bureau, Thanksgiving Baskets, Youth Programs, NCNW Historian and the Bethune Achiever Program.  Along with being a life member of the NCNW, she also achieved lifetime memberships with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the New Jersey Education Association and the Livingstone College Alumni Association.

Glenna was an inspiration to all that she encountered and touched.  She will be remembered for her numerous charitable acts, constant words of encouragement and her gift of prayer.  Her words and acts were soothing and comforting when you needed someone to confide in.  Glenna’s wonderful life is summarized by her favorite saying:

As I look back over my life and think things over, I can truly say that I’ve been blessed, and I got testimony!

Glenna was predeceased in death by her husband, Robert E Hinton; her mother and step father Mattie and Lawrence Gaines; father, Alonzo C. Strickland Sr.; brothers, Thomas A. Gaines, Alonzo C. Strickland Jr, William Strickland Sr. and Marvin Strickland Sr.

She is survived by one brother Alphonso D. Gaines of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; two special nephews, Douglas L. (Spring) Strickland, Sr. of Teaneck, New Jersey and Gregory (Celeste) Hazzard of Vineland, New Jersey; three nieces, Michele Strickland, Karen Strickland and Barbara Tucker of Akron, Ohio; four nephews, Lloyd Strickland of Akron, Ohio, Larry Strickland and Kevin Strickland of California and Leonard Strickland of Texas; goddaughter, Tiffani Green from Bloomfield, NJ; along with a host of many great-grand nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Lovingly submitted by,

The Family