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Pastor John Pinkney died Sept. 21, 2013. The Rev. Timothy West officiated at his funeral Sept. 30 at Westphalia UMC in Upper Marlboro.

John Benjamin Pinkney was born Feb. 1, 1925, in Washington, D.C., to the late Carrie Pinkney. He was raised by his grandparents and the late Iola Susie Marshall.

He attended Prince George’s County and District of Columbia public schools then married his teenage sweetheart, Helen Myles, in 1944. They had seven children who survive.

Pinkney was a Corporal in World War II, and received several medals for his Army service. Among his duties was as an assistant to the Chaplin. He marched in the honor guard at the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and in the inauguration of President Harry S. Truman.

Upon discharge he began a 27-year federal career with the U.S. Dept. of Interior, National Park Service. He helped equip and set up the newly built Pentagon and Blair House, the first residence for the Vice President. `

Following his retirement, he and his wife founded the Shadyside Ave. Barber and Beauty Salon, which they ran for 20 years.

About this time he completed three years at Jesse Lawson School of Religion, Frelinghuysen University in Washington, D.C., and entered the ministry of the Ritche Methodist Church. He became a member of the Washington Conference of the Methodist Church and completed the Methodist Church Conference-sanctioned course of studies at Bennett College in North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee.

During the 1968-69 Conference Year, as the Washington and Baltimore Conferences merged, he was called to be a supply pastor. He was unable to accept the position because of a prior 5-year lease on his own business, but was allowed local pastor status to serve as an assistant minister.

Pinkney served at Westphalia UMC as assistant pastor for 58 years, from 1947 until his retirement in 2005.

He was also an active member of the community, organizing the first black sports team to participate in the Prince George’s County Park & Recreation Department. He coached community baseball and basketball teams, and integrated Francis Scott Key Junior High and Suitland High schools. He was active in the Brooke Road Civic Association.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Helen Pinkney; and children Charles, John, Ronald, Benita Hawkins, Gerard, Pariece Wilkins, and Leonard and their spouses; 14 grandchildren,19 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to Helen Pinkney, 1406 Brooke Road, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westphalia UMC, 9363 Darcy Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, for the scholarship fund.