Barbara Hockenberry, 91, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2024. She was born in Lumberton, North Carolina on November 30, 1932, the daughter of Proctor and Clyde Kinlaw. She was the oldest of three children. Her sister, Caroyn, preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother, Aldean Kinlaw of Lumberton North Carolina.
Barbara was married to Harold Lee Hockenberry for 64 years until he passed 8 years ago. They had 2 children, Jon Hockenberry of Houston, Texas and Sharon Bonney of Myrtle Beach, NC. She also left behind 8 grandchildren, Kimberly Dew, Billy Bonney, Caroline Goin, Thomas Hockenberry, Ashley Horton, Melanie Hathaway, Adrian Morales and Abrahim Ghassemi and 11 beautiful great-grandchildren, Trevor, Nathan, Chase, Bonnie, Lily, Bridget, Jack, Leah, Ian, Emmy and, just recently, Casey.
Barbara went to Smith High School in Lumberton, North Carolina. She also graduated with an associate’s degree from Selena College in Fayetteville, North Carolina. That is where she met and married a young GI stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She was an army wife for the next 35 years following her husband to Germany three times, Taiwan, Maryland and finally Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Settling down in Huntsville she worked for an engineering department in one of the defense industries at Redstone.
Barbara led a very active life, both personally and professionally, enjoying many activities. She was an avid golfer and bridge player. She enjoyed travelling, and reading. She and her husband were active members of Latham Church in Huntsville. She was very passionate about her family; travelling constantly to see the grandchildren and later the great-grandchildren. She never missed a birthday, sending cards and a little gift to each one without fail. She always had a big smile on her face when she was with her family.
Visitation will be from 2:00pm to 3:00pm Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Latham Church in Huntsville. A service will follow at 3:00pm. Burial will be the next morning at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.
