Bamie B. Hinte

On Monday, December 14, 2009, after having lived under 19 US Presidents and seeing the progress of history into the technological years, Bamie B. Skaggs Hinte, 104, of Hilltop, WV was called to the final home she so desired to see - knowing that loved ones would be awaiting her there. Bamie was born March 02, 1905 at Mulvane, WV into the family of the late James Lawrence and Mary Jane Arnold Skaggs. She was one of five siblings. They lived on a farm and her father worked in the timber business while her mother was always a busy housewife. Bamie’s father died when she was five years old, leaving her mother with five children for whom she had to provide. The farm was home also to cows, hogs, chickens, geese and sheep. They raised cane for the production of sorghum molasses. Theirs was so very good that she never found a store-bought product to match its taste. Mother and all the children worked diligently to provide a living. When Bamie was twelve, her mother remarried and they moved to a home just off Sanger Road. Still living on a farm, everyone worked just as hard as before. She attended Meadow Fork School in Sanger until the seventh grade at which time she entered Oak Hill Junior High School. Her education continued at Oak Hill High School – and these were very busy days. A 1925 OHHS graduate, Bamie returned in 1926 for the Short Course Normal Training that would allow her to teach. She taught for three years at Mount Hope Elementary School. She also attended Marshall College for a summer term. Bamie was up at 4:00 am to do her farm chores – which included milking the cows and feeding the chickens after which she walked two miles to school. Walking home from school found her ready to go with her mother on a three to four mile walk to Prudence and Harvey carrying such things as buttermilk, butter, garden produce, rhubarb and sometimes chickens to sell in the coal camps. Then there was the walk home. No lullabies were needed! Later, having met William Charles Hinte, who walked five miles from Sun, WV to “call on” Bamie and then five miles back, they were married on November 10, 1927 in the parsonage of the First Baptist Church of Beckley by Reverend Cook. William “Bill” died on June 5, 1982. Bamie and Bill bought a house beside her mother in 1932 and she lived there until her short stay at Hilltop Center. They had two sons, Charles Edward “Punky” was born November 17, 1928 and was killed in the Korean War in June 1952. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for bravery. Second son, Thomas Milton was born on June 5, 1941 and he currently resides in Key West, Florida. At age thirteen, Bamie was baptized in the Meadow Fork creek, which followed behind the Gentry Baptist Church in Sanger. In 1927 they began attending the Oak Hill Baptist Sunday School in the gymnasium, now the Fellowship Hall of the church. Rev. Shirley Donnelly was the teacher for the “young marrieds” and “those who wanted to be.” The Hinte family continued in that church throughout their lives. Bill and both boys were baptized there. Bamie enjoyed her association with the Ladies’ Bible Class and the Bertie Blake Mission Circle. Bamie was a fountain of knowledge and her mind remained clear. She remembered well Armistice Day, November 11, 1918. She was sitting on a rail fence resting from digging potatoes when she heard the church bells ringing, mine whistles blowing and horns blaring. The war had ended! How sad she was that others followed. Conversing with her was an education. In addition to her parents, her husband, William “Bill” Hinte, her first-born son, Charles E. Hinte as well as brothers – twins, Clarence and Emory and Adrian and one sister, Elizabeth, preceded her in death. Survivors include her second son, Thomas Milton Hinte of Key West, FL; a granddaughter, Laura Cawthon of Williamsburg, VA and two nieces, Beatrice Wykle Hamilton of Beckley and Beulah Wykle Patrick of Ohio. Close friends, Betty Stinnett Burgess, Iona and Roger Cummings and Susan Stinnett Cicenas all of whom will remember their joyful association with “our Bamie” also survive her. Committal service will be on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Oak Hill with Rev. David Sneed officiating. Another dear friend, Linda Richardson will sing Bamie’s favorite song, Precious Lord, Take My Hand. Burial will follow. There will be no visitation. As we go about our daily work we will remember Bamie, who very early learned and was a wonderful example for the adage – “work is a privilege and a joy, not a burden.” Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, WV