Ernest Marston Hinson, Jr.
Ernest M. Hinson, Jr., 87, of Simpsonville, husband of Evelyn Lindsey Hinson, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, February 28, 2019 while surrounded by his family.
Born in Columbia, SC, he was a son of the late Ernest Hinson, Sr. and the late Myrtle Laird Hinson. Mr. Hinson was a long-time member of First Baptist Church Simpsonville and served our country in the United States Air Force.
In addition to his wife, Evelyn, he is survived by three sons, Erik Hinson (Gina) of TN, Mark Hinson (Kristen) of CO, and Gregory Hinson (Betsy) of Simpsonville; grandchildren, Kyle Hinson, Erin Walsh (Seth), Austin Hinson, Pierce Hinson, Carter Hinson, Darby Hinson, Baylor Hinson, and Brock Hinson; one brother Roger Hinson (Diane) of Columbia; one sister, Joyce Lawrimore (J.B.) of Florence; and a sister-in-law, Helen Schrimsher (Jerry) of AL.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 2, 2019 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 2:00 PM in the First Baptist Church Simpsonville Chapel.
Interment will be private for the family prior to the service in Cannon Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: Samaritans Purse or The Christian Blind Mission.
A Life Well Lived
When each of us looks back, we can have hope for little more than to be able to confidently know that this is true of our journey. But how will we know, how will we measure it?
For what it is worth, these are our thoughts of how we will know.
First of all, we won’t measure a life well lived by what material possessions we leave behind. Infinitely more importantly, we will leave behind lives we have touched. Those who knew dad know he never pursued material wealth – it was never important to him. What he accumulated through life is seen in the countless friends who love him, in a family that fanatically loves him despite all of his quirks. More important that what we accumulate is what we give away. Dad invested his life in giving away his endless kindness, wisdom, his limited time and his love not only to friends but to an innumerable number of total strangers in need – all of whom owed him nothing, would never be able to repay him though he would have never taken it anyway. He demonstrated this helping strangers that were the victims of hurricanes, floods, tornados, poverty, or those who simply were having a hard time. Our dad didn’t own a golf club, but wore out multiple chainsaw blades helping people, many of you, who had need of clearing a tree after it storm or that may have threatened to damage a house. Dad didn’t have a car payment, in fact the only debt he had was one that he imposed upon himself to live a life in service of others.
Secondly, I believe we will measure a life well lived by experiences. Our dad chose never to take a cruise – he opted instead to spend his time in what was true fellowship with family and friends. Growing up, we never ate dinner in front of a television. Instead, we spent every night around a table, with dad listening to a report of our day. We lived, laughed, and loved around a simple, wooden dining room table where mom and dad instilled in us the values and beliefs that would carry us through our lives, and the strength to carry us through the hard times, like today.
Thirdly and finally I believe we will measure a life well lived by how we have loved. Every one of you in this room were touched in some way by our dad and walked away a better person as a result, just as you touched his life and made him a better person. Each of us is here because of the love that dad showed and shared every day of his life.
So I ask that each of us leave today, and share that same love with someone today. We know the love that dad shared does not die with his physical body but will live on in all of us. And may we celebrate that Ernie finally got to hear his reward – “Father, this is my good and faithful servant, in whom I am well pleased.”
Dear Evelyn and dear family, it has been a special God given privilege for
Elaine, Elliott, and myself to know the
Hinsons over the many years that
you have lived in Simpsonville.
A blessing always greeted us each time we saw the Hinsons however brief or long the time aloted would be.
Evelyn and family, the Smith family
wanted you to know that we love you and we care.
The tribute expressed in “A Life Well
Lived” revealed Ernie’s true humility and love so freely given to those in need.
“ And now abide faith, hope, and love.
these three, but the greatest of these
Is LOVE.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
Sincerely in Christ,
Frank H. Smith Jr. and Elliott H. Smith
“”
“
Evelyn and family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Ernie’s death. We fondly remember him as a wonderful example of a true Christian. We recall his talents as a Sunday School teacher and the fellowship shared at the many gatherings in your home. Our prayers are with you all at this time.
Mrs. Hinson,
I am blessed to have met and cared for your husband. It was a joy to talk to him. I know he is breathing freely in heaven!
I wanted to reach out to you during this sad time to offer my condolences. While nothing will completely take away your grief, by meditating on God’s promises found in the Bible, you can find real hope and the strength to keep going. I have found the scripture at Isaiah 25:8 to be especially comforting. Here it promises that God “will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.”