Cora Malinda Hinson

Cora Malinda (Whitley) Hinson died on Dec. 6, 2008, at Northeast Medical Center, Concord. She was born March 13, 1922, in Stanly County, N.C. to Phylas Durant Whitley, Sr. and Bessie Mae (Hathcock) Whitley. She graduated from Millingport High School in 1941 where her passion was music. She later attended Pfeiffer College. Most recently she had been a member of Grace Baptist Church, Kannapolis. Cora studied piano under Annyce Worsham of Albemarle. Beginning in 1943 Cora qualified as a National Winner in the National Piano Playing Auditions for three consecutive years, gaining her recognition on The National Honor Roll of Distinguished Students for 1945. In the 1943 competition she attained "Highest Honor" standing. Throughout her life she was active in church music and piano teaching. While she primarily taught privately, she also taught for a period in public school at Farmer, N.C. Cora was also the pianist and a Sunday School teacher for many years at Salem Methodist Church, Millingport. She retired from Cannon Mills (Plant 5) following a career in textiles. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellman Ray Hinson, her parents, her sister, Ruby Burleson, and brothers Joseph L. Whitley and James C. Whitley. She is survived by two sons, Luther B. McIntyre, Jr. (Anne) of Salisbury, Lane McIntyre of Concord; stepson Hugh Hinson of Concord; brothers, Earl Whitley of Southport and Phylas Durant Whitley, Jr. of Albemarle; granddaughters, Louise Deatherage (Dan) of Walton, Ky. and Sarah McIntyre of Chicago. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Courtney, Samuel and Gracie Deatherage, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 12, from 12:30 until 1:45 p.m. at Lady's Funeral Home in Kannapolis. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Gary W. Sloop officiating. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park.