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| Jennifer Kaye Pittman was born Dec. 25, 1944, and died July 25, 1998. |
| Jennifer's child with Stephen Franklin “Frank” Hinnant |
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| Stephen Dennis Hinnant Oct. 13, 1966 Newport News, VA-July 9, 2005 Ellicott City, MD; Buried in Holland Family Cemetery, Kenly, NC |
Jennifer "Jenny" Kaye Pittman, the youngest of ten children born to Fletcher and Gertrude Stancil Pittman, entered the world on December 25, 1944, in Wilson, North Carolina. Her large family included her siblings: Gertie Mae Pittman Buchannan, Mable Irene Pittman Wallace, Arnold Webster Pittman, Ruth Elder Pittman Langston, Billy Royce Pittman, Thomas Rex Pittman, Harvey Alton Pittman, Anne Pittman Viverette, and George "Mac" Pittman. The family had many memorable happenings, including one time when her brother Harvey playfully threw her into a snowdrift to retrieve a toy for him.
Jenny attended the Baptist Church while growing up, and her church and faith remained an important part of her life. She was the ninth and last child in her family to graduate from Glendale High School, from which she proudly graduated in 1963 as the Valedictorian of her class. Her quest to learn led her to seek out further educational opportunities.
Jenny met her future husband, Stephen Franklin Hinnant, at the Kenly Skating Rink. Frankie, as he was known, was the son of S. A. Hinnant and Rhonda Ann Medlin of Kenly. Jennifer completed her studies at Hardbarger's Business College in Raleigh, N.C.
Jenny and Frankie were married in the Kenly Baptist Church on October 20, 1963, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and they settled in Newport News, Virginia. Jenny attended Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, VA, and was employed as a Legal Assistant for the Newport News Savings and Loan Association.
Frankie and Jennifer welcomed their son, Stephen Dennis Hinnant, born on October 13, 1966, in Virginia. While they both loved Dennis, their marriage began to unravel. Frankie eventually returned to Kenly, and their marriage concluded in divorce on November 16, 1970. Jenny began life as a single mother, living for a time across from her brother H. A., his wife, Johnnie Jean, and daughter Kandy. Jenny took classes, knowing Dennis would be well cared for by Kandy, who was in her teens at the time. Kandy was very fond of Dennis, and they formed a special bond.
Jenny became a longtime resident of Newport News, Virginia, where she built her life and career. She was a perfectionist who gave 150% to everything she did, enjoying challenges and approaching each job with a determination to do her very best. Her efforts were rewarded with many professional successes. She was employed as a paralegal, working for several banks. It was a proud moment when she was promoted to vice president at the bank, having previously worked as a paralegal with various attorneys and also as a manager with Signet Bank. She was a member of the Professional Secretaries Association.
Jenny also learned homemaking skills from her mother, Gertrude, and loved to cook, sew, and quilt.
Later, Jenny married Edward Carleton Hurman on May 28, 1977, in Newport News, Virginia. This marriage also ended in divorce on October 27, 1986. Finally, she married Bill Collins of Newport News, finding happiness at last.
Jenny's family expanded to include her son, Stephen Dennis Hinnant, and his wife, Liz; a stepson, Timothy Scott Collins; and a stepdaughter, Billie Gay Perry, and her husband, Christopher. She was also a proud grandmother to Emily McKay Hinnant, Michael Jesse Ackley of Newport News, and Stefanie Louise Collins of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Stephen Dennis Hinnant, Jenny's son, graduated from Ferguson High School in Newport News, VA, and continued his education, graduating from James Madison University in Virginia. Dennis began working for Ferguson Enterprises, a national company, and was sent to different locations along the East Coast. When transferred to South Carolina, Dennis contacted a real estate agent named Vince Dimaria, impressed with Dennis' friendly personality and position with the company. Vince had a single sister a few years older than Dennis, Elizabeth, whom he introduced to Dennis. It was almost love at first sight, and they became inseparable. Their only concern was a religious one, as Dennis was raised a Baptist and Liz was Catholic. Dennis became a Catholic, and a wedding date was soon set. Jennifer was happy for her son. Dennis and Liz married in 1995 in a Catholic ceremony in South Carolina.
Dennis and Liz lived in South Carolina, but before long, Dennis was transferred to Virginia, allowing Jennifer to see Dennis more frequently. Jennifer attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church with Dennis and Liz. She was thrilled when her granddaughter, Emily McKay, was born in 1997.
Jennifer had a history of back problems she coped with successfully. However, when she suddenly became ill, no one knew how serious it was. Jennifer had a stomach ulcer and tragically died when it ruptured. Jennifer "Jenny" Pittman Collins passed away at the age of 52 on July 25, 1998, in Newport News, Virginia, after a brief illness. Her funeral was held at the North Riverside Baptist Church in Newport News, VA, officiated by Rev. John Carpenter. She is laid to rest in Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News, Virginia.
After Jenny's passing, Dennis and Liz had two more daughters: Sarah Elizabeth, born in 1999, and Grace Ann, born in 2001. Dennis was a dedicated family man who loved being a dad. He helped with the children and frequently took them to visit his family in Kenly.
In 2000, Dennis was transferred to Maryland, climbing the corporate ladder. He was quiet, competent, personable, well-liked, and a dedicated employee. Before long, he received another promotion, becoming general manager over several stores, and was then named Vice President over the Beltville Branch. Dennis and Liz had acquired beautiful homes, took memorable vacations, and seemed to be living a "dream life."
However, something was going terribly wrong in Dennis' marriage. Liz suddenly took the children to visit her family in South Carolina, planning to stay three weeks with Dennis flying down to drive them back up. Dennis and Liz talked during that time, but Dennis did not make a plane reservation. He left his office immaculate and straightened the house. Everything was in order as he sat and wrote a final goodbye. For unknown reasons, Dennis made the decision to end his life. Dennis took his life on July 9, 2005. While one can speculate that discouragement, sadness, depression, or loneliness played a part, a known fact is that Dennis had a family who loved him and misses him dearly.
Dennis' friends and co-workers gathered in Ellicott, Maryland, for a final farewell to this remarkable man. A Funeral Mass was held in Newport News, Virginia, attended by many family members. Dennis' North Carolina family also came together to honor his memory in Kenly, North Carolina, and lay him to rest beside the Hinnants who had gone before him.
— Renn Stancil Hinton, daughter of George Ralph Stancil