Jane O. Hinchey

Dr. Jane O. Hinchey, Ph.D., passed away peacefully surrounded by family, February 5, 2026, in Keller, TX. Jane was born on July 16, 1932, to Margaret Chumley Orr and Whitaker Lawson Orr in Cordele, GA. During her childhood, she attended school in Cordele and Toccoa, GA, and graduated from high school in Florence, SC. Jane furthered her education at Winthrop College (B.S., Home Economics Education, 1953), the University of Tennessee (M.S., Textiles and Clothing, 1954), and Texas Woman’s University (Ph.D., Consumer Sciences, 1987). Jane began her teaching career at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN, shortly after turning 22. It was there that she met her husband, Frank, and they were married on August 21, 1955, in Knoxville, TN. They made several moves with Frank’s job, including 10 years in Lake Charles, LA, before a final transfer to Beaumont, TX. Both sons, Stuart Paul Hinchey and Steven Frank Hinchey, were born in Lake Charles. Jane taught in Lake Charles public schools and at McNeese State University during this time. In 1968, she joined the faculty of Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. Jane retired from Lamar in 1996 as Department Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences. Upon her retirement, her husband Frank established a scholarship in her name at Lamar University to honor her lifelong contributions to the field of education. Jane loved teaching and cared deeply for her students as individuals. She and Frank were passionate about giving back to help others pursue higher education and established scholarships at several other universities, including Carson-Newman College and Texas A&M University. In February 1999, Jane and Frank moved to Keller, TX, to be close to their son Steve and his family. Jane was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Southlake, TX, where she formed many lasting and meaningful friendships. She enjoyed gardening, watching birds, and teaching her granddaughters how to cook. Jane was a bright and vibrant presence whose warmth left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Her radiant smile and joyful laughter had a way of lifting spirits and brightening even the most ordinary days. Jane’s kindness extended to all, including the many caregivers who supported her in her later years, each of whom was touched by her grace and gratitude. To know Jane was truly to love her.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Whitaker; her husband, Frank; and her son, Stuart. She is survived by her son, Steve Hinchey, and his wife, Karen; her granddaughters, Katelyn Word and husband Dr. Andrew Word, Stephanie Sour and husband Austin, and Julie Spicer and husband Braden; her great-grandsons, James Shepherd Word and Lochlan Wolff Spicer; and her great-granddaughter, Elaine Blair Spicer, with a second great-granddaughter due later this year.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Westview Cemetery at 10:00AM with Rev. Darrell Chambers officiating.