Wade Hinson, Jr.

Wade Hinson’s life began seventy-five years ago when he was born to Earl Hinson and Iduma Cook in Quincy, Florida.  Wade was the first born of five including in birth order, Elbert of Cocoa, Florida, Tommy of Quincy, Florida, Helen and Karen of Fort Pierce, Florida.

Wade also has six more older brothers and sisters of whom they share the same dad but have a different mother.  Wade enjoyed happy life as a young boy growing up with his brothers and sisters.  In fact, the three Hinson brothers remained close into adulthood and married three Patterson sisters they met in Quincy, Florida known as Lorene for Wade, Mary for Elbert and Carolyn for Tommy. 

This is known as the Hinson Trilogy.  Wade’s early adult life was very fast paced.  He was in high school during the Civil Right Era of American History wherein opportunity for African Americans was very limited especially in the south.  Wade was athletic and strong as a boy and craved a job with excitement, adventure and a steady paycheck so he opted out of factory and farm work and joined the U.S. Army.  In fact, Wade was not quite 18 years old so his mother had to sign for him to enlisted in the U.S. Army.  Wade completed boot camp or basic military training and AIT at Fort Benning, Georgia where he became an infantryman, scout and field wire communications specialist.  Immediately after graduating AIT, Wade received orders to go to Vietnam.  At the time Wade was courting and had become engaged to Lorene so when he received immediate military orders to go to war, he promised her that he was going to return home with a lot of money and marry and give her a proper wedding.  Amazingly, by the grace of God, Wade did just that.  He had escaped the death of Vietnam, one of the deadliest wars in U.S. history to return home and marry his beloved Lorene. 

Wade Hinson married Lorene Patterson on March 24, 1968 in a chapel with a nice wedding ceremony.  Shortly thereafter, Wade received military orders to report to Germany.  Wade flew to Germany and later sent for his wife who was pregnant.  Shortly thereafter, Wade Jr., Wade’s first born son was born.  Wade was proud and happy to be a father.  Wade remained in the U.S. Army for six years.

He and Lorene were happily married during that time and over the course of their time together, he fathered five more children with Lorene.  In total Lorene bore Wade six healthy children:  A son Wade of Lawrenceville, Georgia; daughter Genese of Gwinette, Georgia; daughter Rachel of Miami, Florida; son David of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter Mary of Montgomery, Alabama; daughter Nina of Bossier City, Louisiana.  Wade and Lorene were in that marital union until 2008 making the total time of marriage forty years.  Wade and Lorene had known each other since their early teen years making their time together over 47 years. 

Wade served in the U.S. Army and toured Vietnam and two tours of duty in Germany during the mid 60’s until the mid 70’s.  He also served as a reservist in the late 70’s to early 80’s.  Wade received several honorary accolades for his service to his country including the Vietnam Service Medal and Ribbon, the Viet Nam Campaign medal and ribbon, the European Forces Defense Ribbon, The Medal of Valor, the National Defense Ribbon and several others.  Wade and Lorene divorced in 2008. 

Shortly after his divorce from his first wife, Wade married Laura Cullens of Headland, Alabama. Of that union was born a daughter Balinda.  Wades daughter Balinda resides in Dothan, Alabama.  Wade was married to his most recent wife Laura for about fifteen years.  He remained with Laura until his untimely demise from life-threatening medical issues in September of 2023.  Wade fathered seven known children and loved and cherished all of them. 

Wade was a very sociable person who had many family, friends and loved ones who cherished him.  Wade was not a stranger to anyone.  He loved his children deeply and was always glad to see them.  Most of all Wade had a deep respect and love for God and attended and participated in church as a minister and deacon. Even though Wade suffered from various medical issues during the last decade, he remained faithful to God and continued to love and cherish his children and family.

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