Lael Bunting Hinman House

Lael Bunting Hinman House, cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 6, 2025. Born on January 17, 1932, in Martin County, she graced this world for 93 years, sharing her warmth and kindness with all who knew her.
Lael, best known to her students as Mrs. Hinman, devoted her life to the profession of teaching, influencing countless young minds with her gentle wisdom and enduring patience. She was very proud to be a teacher. Her passions in life were as colorful and vibrant as the flowers she tenderly cared for in her garden. An avid reader, she found joy in the pages of books, exploring new worlds and ideas with an insatiable curiosity. Her love for travel took her to many places, where she gathered stories and experiences that enriched her life and those around her. She enjoyed dancing, particularly square dancing in her younger years, which brought her joy and lifelong friendships.
Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. Lael was a devoted member of the Oak City Christian Church in her early years and later found a spiritual home at the Hobgood Methodist Church, where she remained a steadfast member throughout her life.
Preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Ernest Bunting; her sisters: Jewel Roberson and Ann Lapetina; a brother Ernest Bunting, and her husbands, Kent Hinman Jr. and Bo House.
Left to honor her memory are her devoted children: Rhonda Mayer and her husband David of Hobgood, and Eugene "Gene" Hinman and his wife Jan of Richmond, VA; five grandchildren: Amanda Elkins and her husband Ron of Hobgood, Anita Propheter and her husband Scott of Hobgood, Austin Hinman of Richmond, VA, Conner Hinman and his wife Grace of San Diego, CA and Vidal Simon and his wife Jackie of Hobgood; seven great-grandchildren: Andrew Elkins and his fiancé Izzy, Jacob Elkins, Alice Propheter, Kent Propheter, Archer Propheter, Mia Simon and Bellamy Simon; and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Hobgood Methodist Church, with interment to follow at Hobgood Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Rev. Ron Elkins. Family and friends are invited to gather for refreshments in the church fellowship hall immediately following the graveside service.
Flowers are welcome and memorial donations may be made directly to Lael's favorite charities, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking here; or to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or online by clicking here.
A very special thank you to caregivers at Gentiva Hospice of Tarboro and The Barclay House of Tarboro.
Lael Bunting Hinman House lived a life rich with love, laughter, and grace. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service ~ Letchworth Chapel is handling the arrangements for the House family and online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lael Bunting Hinman House, please visit our floral store.