Willard A. Pinkney Jr.

Willard Allen Pinkney, Jr., born on March 9, 1915, the second child to Willard Allen Pinkney, Sr. and Fannie Johnson Pinkney in Baltimore, Maryland, Became the oldest living child in a family of ten. Will, as he is called by his siblings, grew up in Baltimore City, spent most of his childhood summers in Westmoreland County, Virginia, attended Baltimore City Public Schools, graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1933, and worshipped with his family at the Union Baptist Church. After his graduation he completed a tour with the Civilian Conservation Corps in Virginia. Upon his return to Baltimore he fell in love with and married Beulah L. Rice on July 20, 1938, a union that lasted 59 years. Drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1934, he, along with six of his brothers, served his country during World War II. After being honorably discharged from the Navy and upon his return to civilian life, he became employed with the Social Security Administration from which he retired in 1974. Even though his career, both in the public and private sectors, was frequently fraught with racist overtones and discrimination he consistently modeled an exemplary wok ethic of determination and persistence for his children, community and co-workers. During his career he was instrumental in the abolishment of many accepted segregated practices, maintained outstanding performance evaluations, and trained a significant number of future SSA lower and middle management staff members. Throughout the years his family grew and thrived. To his and his beloved wife, Beulah, were born seven children: Joseph, Delores, Elizabeth, Patricia, Michele, Michael, and Thomas. The couple worked diligently to assure that their home was overflowing with warmth, love and comfort – not only for their children, but also for the many who needed only to know that someone cared and who became their adopted children. Throughout his life, and until his last moments, his faith sustained him. In 1946, after moving to the Cherry Hill Community, he led his family to and became one of the founding members of St. Veronica Roman Catholic Church where he maintained his membership until his death. He passionately served the St. Veronica Parish in many different capacities – the Holy Name Society, St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Parish Council to name o few. It was this same passion and willingness to serve, as well as his devotion to the Lord that led to his ordination to the diaconate in 1974, after having to commute to St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, DC, weekly for three years. During his active years as a Deacon he performed many marriage ceremonies, baptized numerous children (including many of his grand and great-grandchildren), pastored at St. Monica’s Parish in Westport, worked with CHAMP (Cherry Hill Ministerial Alliance), the Cherry Hill Coordinating Council, and with several other community-based organizations structured to improve the quality of life for area residents. One of his chief desires was to assist the needy and to spiritually nurture everyone he encountered. As a parishioner and a Permanent Deacon, his service to his parish, the Diocese of Baltimore, and the greater church was exceptional. In 1997, his service and dedication to the church was acknowledged and rewarded as the late Pope John Paul II conferred upon him, his most prestigious accomplishment, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal. Deacon Bill as he was affectionately known at St. V’s and throughout Cherry Hill, served each pastor, parishioner, and organization with all of his strength and the love of Christ to strengthen the church he loved! Although he officially retired as a Deacon in 1994, he continued to serve until his health no longer allowed him to do so in 2004, and he talked about getting well enough to get back behind the altar and serve in his last days. After a lengthy illness, Deacon Bill earned his eternal reward and transitioned from this life to the next on Friday, March 30, 2012. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beulah; his son, Joseph; four beloved brothers, Harvey, Thomas, Richard and James; and is survived by three brothers, Ralph, Julius and Andrew; two sisters, Mary Harris and Fannie Thomas; a dearly beloved sister-in-law, Audrey Pinkney; six children, Delores Lomax, Elizabeth Harris, Patricia Gaither, Michele Kelly, Michael Pinkney and Thomas Pinkney; a beloved daughter-in-law, Karen Pinkney; thirteen grandchildren, L. David Harris (Shelia), Pastor John A. Gaither, Jr. (Carla), Gregory Harris (Yannick), Kimberly Thompson (Sylvester), James Gaither (Tressa), Sandria Lomax, Samuel Lomax, Dennis Lomax, Troy Harris (Melissa), Daniel Lomax, Breck Kelly, Dionne Pinkney and Kimberly Pinkney; twenty-eight great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friend!

Tributes

Willard A. Pinkney Jr.

March 9, 1915 - March 30, 2012