"O Master,
let me walk with Thee
In lowly paths of service free
Tell me Thy secret, help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care."
Ira Dodson
Hinson started his walk on this earth, December 3, 1916, the son
of Abraham and Lula Price Hinson in Havana, FL, Gadsden County.
He started his
walk with the Master in 1933, when he was converted and baptized by
the Rev. E. Nathon.
After joining Mt.
Zion AME Church of Havana, FL, he worked diligently and became
Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School, a choir member and
class leader, all in the same year.
A lover of music,
he organized the Southern Rose Quartet and sang for many years
throughout surrounding communities with this widely acclaimed
singing group.
In, 1934, Ira D. (he
was affectionately known as) joined Annie Jane Chandler in marriage and
they became proud parents of their daughter, Ozie.
In 1937, he answered
the call of his Master and began to prepare for great work in the
ministry by enrolling in Edward Waters High School and continuing at
Edward Waters College.
He graduated from
the F. F. Lee Seminary in 1944; later received a B.S. Degree from
Bethune Cookman college; and participated in further study at Florida
A&M University.
He learned the
secret of service and bore the strain of toil and fret very well. This
was confirmed in 1989, when he was honored for fifty (50) years of
service in the Master's Vineyard.
A man of strong
traditional conviction, he pastored a number of AME Churches throughout
Florida. He then served as presiding elder of the Miami District for
eight years before retiring.
Reverend Hinson
studied the Bible daily and his preaching reflected his knowledge of the
Word. His delivery of the Word was compelling and an indication of his
strong convictions and determination to be a disciple of Christ.
He also had a
passion for the inter-workings of the church and was involved in a
number of ways including the Church Union Finance Committee; delegate to
the General Conference (42 years); president of Edward Waters College
Alumni Association (6 years); Trustee, Edward Waters College (28 years);
treasurer, Christian Education Congress (approximately 20 years).
He represented the
church and his beliefs effectively on the Florida A&M University
Advisory Board (10 years), the Democratic National Committee; as
president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and member of
the Inter-Civic Committee to Integrate Businesses in Tallahassee.
Reverend Hinson also
cherished the verse the says: "Teach me Thy patience still with
Thee In closer dearer company. In work that keeps faith sweet and
strong, In triumphs over wrong." This was the spirit that enfolded
his as he aspired for the bishopric through seven General Conferences,
but his goal was not attained.
However, he
recognized that what God had for him, was for him and he fulfilled a
number of other plans that sustained his walk during his itinerancy
including paying off mortgages at Bethel-Tallahassee and Greater
Bethel-Miami; building educational buildings at Allen Chapel, Daytona
Beach; Allen Temple, Tampa; and Bethel Tallahassee; building a parsonage
at Allen Temple-Tampa; remodeling churches and parsonages at Allen
Temple-Tampa, Bethel-Tallahassee and Greater Bethel-Miami; and
purchasing new property at Greater Bethel-Miami including the Allen
House.
He also influenced a
number of ministers along the way. Among his sons are Reverend Dr.
J.Leander Byrd, Reverend L. V. Davis (deceased) and Reverend Alfonso
Smith (deceased). Bishop Adam J. Richardson also acknowledges Reverend
Hinson's influences on his growth and development as a minister.
Reverend Ira D.
Hinson, a lover of God, a dedicated servant, a Church builder a winner
of souls, a dynamic preacher, a serious personality, a faithful tither
even during illness, and a caring father, loved life and lived it
bravely and faithfully.
He answered his call
to come home on November 23, 2000. His walk on earth has ended, but his
walk with Christ continues.
Cherishing his
memories and legacies are his devoted daughter, Ozie L. Hinson Pruitt,
Stone Mountain, GA; loving sister, Lillie L. Thompson, Youngstown, OH,
three grandchildren, five great granchildren and a host of relatives
friends and ministers.
