Obituary for John L. Pinkney
John L Pinkney, beloved son of the late Mabel and Henry Pinkney, Sr., was born on July 10, 1933 in St. Matthews, South Carolina. John L departed this life peacefully and entered eternal life at his home in Upper Marlboro, Maryland on September 16, 2022. He was the second oldest of eight children. He is preceded in death by three brothers, Henry Jr., Ernest and Merrill.
He came to Washington, DC at an early age where he was educated. In 1953, he joined the U.S. Army where he served with distinguished service. He was honorably discharged on May 5, 1955.
After his military service he married the love of his life, Yvonne, in April, 1959. They were blessed with four children: Vanita, Joyce, James (deceased) and Vanessa.
John L had a long career working as a Pressman for the American Printing Company for 43 years. He enjoyed the work he did there and was well respected by the owners. He was the only black Pressman in the company and excelled to the level of Pressroom Forman at retirement. He was a Master Craftsman and received several Master Printers of America Craftsmanship Awards, a prestigious honor. He retired in July, 1988. He used this skill to support his community of Cameron Grove where he was one of the original members of the Cameron Grove Connection newsletter until he was unable to continue.
John L was a faithful member of Paramount Baptist Church for many years where he served as a Trustee. He got great joy out of serving and helping to take care of the Church. While serving as Trustee, he took on additional assignments such as making keys and printing programs. As his illness progressed and he was unable to attend church services in person and became inactive on the Trustee Board, he was then awarded the title of Trustee Emeritus. He also loved his Sunday School class and was a faithful member who regularly attended class and offered prayer at the end of class while he was able.
He enjoyed working with his hands and was a handyman who could do and fix anything. After his retirement, he continued to find opportunities to keep busy and decided he wanted to become a locksmith to make keys. He took classes from the National Locksmith Institute and was certified as a locksmith. After which he set up a shop in his garage and was able to make keys for the family, church and others needing them. He really enjoyed spending time with his family, attending family gatherings and cookouts.
John L leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Yvonne Pinkney; three daughters, Vanita Tildon, Joyce Tyler and Vanessa Fisher/Kenneth; 2 sisters, Annie M. King and Mary E. Anderson/Rev. Donald Anderson; 2 brothers, Donald Pinkney and Gerald Pinkney/Alice; seven grandchildren, Rosalind Pinkney (Spartanburg, S.C.), Darion Tildon, Joshua Florence (Spartanburg, S.C.), LaTrisha Perkins (Atlanta, Ga.), Jovan Henry, Shalita Chism/William, Jalen Fisher and Kennedi Fisher; 5 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and an extended family.
He came to Washington, DC at an early age where he was educated. In 1953, he joined the U.S. Army where he served with distinguished service. He was honorably discharged on May 5, 1955.
After his military service he married the love of his life, Yvonne, in April, 1959. They were blessed with four children: Vanita, Joyce, James (deceased) and Vanessa.
John L had a long career working as a Pressman for the American Printing Company for 43 years. He enjoyed the work he did there and was well respected by the owners. He was the only black Pressman in the company and excelled to the level of Pressroom Forman at retirement. He was a Master Craftsman and received several Master Printers of America Craftsmanship Awards, a prestigious honor. He retired in July, 1988. He used this skill to support his community of Cameron Grove where he was one of the original members of the Cameron Grove Connection newsletter until he was unable to continue.
John L was a faithful member of Paramount Baptist Church for many years where he served as a Trustee. He got great joy out of serving and helping to take care of the Church. While serving as Trustee, he took on additional assignments such as making keys and printing programs. As his illness progressed and he was unable to attend church services in person and became inactive on the Trustee Board, he was then awarded the title of Trustee Emeritus. He also loved his Sunday School class and was a faithful member who regularly attended class and offered prayer at the end of class while he was able.
He enjoyed working with his hands and was a handyman who could do and fix anything. After his retirement, he continued to find opportunities to keep busy and decided he wanted to become a locksmith to make keys. He took classes from the National Locksmith Institute and was certified as a locksmith. After which he set up a shop in his garage and was able to make keys for the family, church and others needing them. He really enjoyed spending time with his family, attending family gatherings and cookouts.
John L leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Yvonne Pinkney; three daughters, Vanita Tildon, Joyce Tyler and Vanessa Fisher/Kenneth; 2 sisters, Annie M. King and Mary E. Anderson/Rev. Donald Anderson; 2 brothers, Donald Pinkney and Gerald Pinkney/Alice; seven grandchildren, Rosalind Pinkney (Spartanburg, S.C.), Darion Tildon, Joshua Florence (Spartanburg, S.C.), LaTrisha Perkins (Atlanta, Ga.), Jovan Henry, Shalita Chism/William, Jalen Fisher and Kennedi Fisher; 5 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and an extended family.