Jo Ruth Dunn Hinkle

Jo Ruth Hinkle, née Freeman, 89, of Joshua, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on February 22, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on March 3 at Mountain Valley Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Blooming Grove, Texas, at a future date.

Jo Ruth was born in Terrell County, Texas, on December 13, 1936, to Annie Van Cleave and David Freeman. She graduated from Pecos High School in 1954 and went on to earn her bachelors degree from the University at Texas Arlington and master’s degree in biology from East Texas State College, now Texas A&M University–Commerce.

On February 9, 1991, she married Hollis Hinkle, and they shared 35 loving years together.

Jo Ruth devoted her professional life to education, serving as a college biology professor at Tarrant County Junior College (now TCC). She took great pride in teaching and found deep joy in sharing her knowledge and inspiring her students over the years.

She enjoyed gardening, reading, sewing, working crossword puzzles, attending the theater, traveling the world, and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jo Ruth is survived by her beloved husband, Hollis Arlen Hinkle, 88; her children, Linda Mork and husband Scott, Jeff Dunn, Kelley Wessels and husband Jeff, Holley Anthony, and Brian Hinkle and wife Karen; her grandchildren, Crystal Hailey, Bryan Dunn, Curtis Dunn, Brooke Welch, Paige Davidson, Taylor Dunn, Todd Dunn, Travis Dunn, Christy Knight, Jason Steel, Michael Hinkle, Richard Hinkle, Brad Johnson, Kayleigh Walley, Ashley Alvey, Chris Hinkle and Emily Wessels; her brother, David Freeman and wife Nancy; as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her cherished son, Darryll David Dunn, and her beloved siblings, Barbara Ann, Deana Lee, Roy Edward, and Dorothey May.

Jo Ruth, known as Grandjo to many, will be remembered for her love of learning, her dedication to family, and the warmth and wisdom she shared with all who knew her