Olin Pinckney

OLIN PINCKNEY JR., son of the late Olin Pinckney Sr. and the late Katherine (Lottie) Pinckney, was born on February 25, 1947 in the Moss Swamp Community of McClellanville, South Carolina. The third of six children, his older brother, Eugene, preceded him in death. Olin was educated in the public Schools of McClellanville, and in 1966 he completed his general academics at Laing High School in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Having grown up in a deeply religious family, at an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the Greater St. Peters A.M.E. Church in Moss Swamp. He continued his spiritual journey in Baltimore, Maryland when he joined the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church. In 1971, he joined the Pleasant Zion Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor James B. Gray, Jr., where he served on the Deacon Ministry, a member of the Male Chorus, past president of the Hospitality Ministry, Pastor Gray’s baptism assistant, church percussionist, and immediate past chairman of Men’s Day. He was joined in holy matrimony to DeAnna E. Neal on February 18, 1970. During their blissful life partnership of 42 years, they were blessed with three daughters – Jeanine, Shondel, and Tonier. He was affectionately called by many names: Olin or Pinckney by his wife, Junnie or Junior by his family, Daddy by his children, and Pop-Pop by his grand and great-grandchildren. With a gentle spirit and a kind heart, Olin loved people. He was never one to shun hard work. His work experiences included City Hospital, London Fog, Morton and Dyett Funeral Home, Epworth United Methodist Church, and a painter/handyman. Olin was a dependable employee. After a long tenure of meritorious service for 34 years and 7 months, Olin retired from Verizon communications, Inc. in August, 2003. Olin was a strong person who always sought a challenge. He had a heart of gold. He was generous and always gave of his talents, time and resources to everyone in need. Olin was well loved and respected by his family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers, with whom he worked and around whom he lived. His daily routine was cooking breakfast and taking his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to school. He especially loved and devoted himself to his family and close circle of friends. For fun and relaxation, Olin enjoyed bowling. He understood and appreciated the simple things in life. With the same calmness that marked his life, Olin Pinckney, Jr. transitioned to a well-deserved rest and reward in the early morning hours of Friday, November 16, 2012. He leaves to cherish the memories of his life: his devoted wife, DeAnna E. Pinckney of the home; his three loving daughters, Jeannine Pinckney, Shondel (Corey) Smith, and Tonier Pinckney, all of Baltimore; eight grandchildren, Jenear Belle, Calvin Thomas Olin Belle, Dalvon Pinckney, Corey Eugene Pinckney Smith, DeAnna Smith, Patrick Smith, Kevin Harding, and Kiyah Harding, all of Baltimore; four great-grandchildren, Naijae Blue, Quanta Blue, Amira Guy, and Janiya Davidson, all of Baltimore; three sisters, Mary Ellen (Rev. Dr. James B.) Gray of Baltimore, Barbara Ann Lewis of Somerset, New Jersey and Brenda P. (Joseph) Brown of Charleston, South Carolina; one brother, David J. (Jacqueline) Pinckney of Baltimore; mother-in-law, Bernice Barrett of Baltimore; two sisters-in-law, Lillian Pinckney of Andrews, South Carolina and Lorraine Neal of Baltimore; one brother-in-law, Donald Adams of Baltimore; three uncles, Frank (Wonderlyn) Pinckney of McClellanville, Alan (Barbara) Pinckney of Washington, D.C., and Nathan Garrett of Baltimore; four aunts, Frances (Leroy) Boyd of Norfolk, Virginia, Berta Pinckney of Washington, Anna Garrett of Baltimore and Ethel Reed of Charleston; special friends, Charles Lee, Calvin Holland, and Kenneth Roberts all of Baltimore; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Olin Pinckney

February 25, 1947 - November 16, 2012