Cordelia Ann Barnett Hinnant

1926 - 2022

Hinnant, Cordelia Ann Barnett

October 29, 1926 - October 29, 2022

Cordelia Ann Barnett Hinnant peacefully departed this life as she saw the sunlight on the morning of her 96th birthday, October 29, 2022. She came to Greensboro to attend Bennett College, leaving behind her hometown of London, West Virginia, where she grew up with her parents, Leonard and Letitia Freeman Barnett, her sister, Elizabeth. She spent her early childhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she attended Brooks Elementary School, and she then matriculated to a school in West Virginia where her father was the school principal. She graduated at nineteen with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Biology. She later earned the Master of Arts degree in Biology Education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She further studied to receive the North Carolina Department of Instruction Certification and completed several general training programs offered at Bennett College and NC A&T.

She was married to her college sweetheart, the late Waddell Hinnant, for sixty-six years until parted by his death in 2013, and together they raised three children and included pets in the family life. A devoted mother, she spent the early years of her married life supporting her husband's businesses and her children's many activities. After her children came of age, she continued to support her husband's social, business, and community interests, while often trailblazing endeavors in the community. In 1959, the Hinnants were among the nine charter members of the first social club for Blacks in the city and second in the state, Forest Lake Country Club, and the entire family enjoyed many social activities, outdoor sports, and playtime with an array of friends and acquaintances during the days of segregation.

Her employment included teaching the sciences at J.C. Price Junior High School and the Neighborhood Youth Corps Basic Education at Guilford Technical Community College. She was also employed as an assistant professor of biology at Bennett College and instructor of biology, anatomy, and physiology at N.C. A&T. Additionally, she was licensed as a funeral director and a real estate broker to support family-owned businesses. Her years of work centered around the years of providing college education for her children, making them third generation debt-free college educated family members.

Mrs. Hinnant's civic life was varied including support for local civil rights efforts. She was one of the females who tested the service of clerks in stores, and she was among those who stood on the side of the road to distribute necessities like rain bonnets and personal hygiene items to marchers seeking better opportunity for people of color. She held numerous affiliations in local organizations including the United Way, YWCA, the Greensboro Artists' League and the boards of Sickle Cell of Greensboro, and the Drug Action Council of Greensboro. Mrs. Hinnant also gave years of service through membership and leadership positions in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; The Links, Incorporated; and, the Charlotte Chapter of National Smart Set. Mrs. Hinnant often gave of herself, resources, and time to the family of Bennett alumnae, diligently supporting students in the performing arts and opening her home for visits, meals, and housing. She was a recipient of the college Distinguished Service Award for her dedicated support of students and the President's Circle Award for her philanthropy to college fundraising.

Mrs. Hinnant led a balanced life devoting time to her family and to many hobbies, including reading, table games, crossword puzzles, sewing, traveling, and playing Bridge and Pinochle. Mrs. Hinnant was self-described as 'earnest' and observed by friends as private, reserved, and modest. She enjoyed intergenerational friendships, a lifelong dedication of encouraging others to achieve, and helping people to find their way to personal growth and success. Many of her younger friends referred to her as "Mama Ann", "Mama H", or "Aunt Ann". She believed in sharing and giving, sometimes helping newlyweds, including furniture, clothes, a fun drive in the wedding getaway car, driving a couple to their new home, squeezing the hand of a student only for them to find a token of cash in their palm and helping friends to secure employment. She could move quietly and spontaneously to get a friend or loved one to engage in something fun and life-giving. She genuinely enjoyed sharing fun times with friends and family. She never forgot lessons from her parents: to be thrifty and industrious, to quietly befriend others, and to look for ways to help others enjoy a better life. She fondly engaged in genealogy and discussions about family origins and kinships, often tree dating back to the mid-1700's, and she admonished others to learn about heritage.

Mrs. Hinnant experienced a slow decline of health, but never complained about the journey. She looked forward to the 'big reward' for keeping the faith and fighting the 'good fight,' all while keeping her chin up with a firm acknowledgement of having lived a good life and being at peace.

Those who will cherish her memory include: her children, Glenna Jocelyn Hinnant, Waddell Hinnant, and Patrice A. Hinnant; grandchildren, Glenna Jocelyn Leary and Linwood Leary; great-grandchild, Jocelyn Isabella Leary; a host of nieces and nephews and their children; cousins and friends. Mrs. Hinnant was the oldest member in her family and was pre-deceased by her sister, Elizabeth B. Harris of Columbus, Ohio, and two grandchildren, Ernest Dixon (Glenna) and Gina Smith (Waddell), both of Greensboro.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Hospice of Greensboro/Authoracare for their kind and compassionate assistance. The family also extends gratitude to her dedicated care assistants and friends who visited her and communicated with her throughout her decline in health

The family will receive friends on Friday from 12 p.m. until 12:45 p.m. at the church. A celebration of life service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1315 East Washington Street, Greensboro, NC. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Park, Greensboro, NC. The family is requesting no home visitations.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either of the following online or by direct mail: Grace Lutheran Church, 1315 East Washington Street, Greensboro NC 27401; Bennett College, Office of Development, 900 East Washington Street, Greensboro, NC 27401; or NC Agricultural and Technical State University, Office of Development, 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411. Hinnant Funeral Service, Greensboro, NC is assisting the family with arrangements.

Hinnant Funeral Service

512 Martin Luther King Drive