Sylvia J. Mccracken Pinkerman

Sylvia J. McCracken Pinkerman, 85, a resident of The Manor in Florence, South Carolina (formerly of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania and Temperance, Michigan) passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence, South Carolina. She was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma on May 23, 1938 to the late Ethel Barnett and Mike Washington McCracken. She married her college sweetheart, Fred (Fritz) Pinkerman on June 27, 1959 at the First Methodist Church in Adrian, Michigan. She was a graduate of Adrian College (Bachelor of Arts in English Education), and Eastern Michigan University (Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling). Sylvia’s teaching career started fresh out of college as a 6th grade English teacher at Bedford Public Schools in Temperance Michigan, she then moved onto teaching high school English for many years before becoming a guidance counselor. Sylvia also taught Adult Education Classes at Bedford and worked as an advisor at Monroe County Community College. She left Bedford to work for the YWCA of Toledo, Ohio, as the director of the “Tribute to Women in Industry” program in the early 80’s. She also founded and ran her own HR Consulting firm, Pinkerman and Associates, helping people with their personal and professional development thru PerforMAX Inc. She completed her career as an advisor for the engineering department at The University of Toledo, where she retired in 1999. She was a long-time member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Florence. Sylvia was very active in her children’s lives as they were growing up: volunteering as a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout den leader, and backpacking group leader. Her interests included traveling with friends, bird watching, supporting wildlife and environmental causes, and researching family history and genealogy – even writing her own book. She took care of her husband Fritz through a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease and she was always there when needed to help with her children and grandchildren. Sylvia was very involved with the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, serving as a board member for many years. She and her sister Roberta were also very active in the local chapter of The Red Hat Society. Sylvia is survived by her daughter Michelle (Micki) Marie Samson Teller (Charles) of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and son Patrick Kelly Pinkerman (Denise) of Florence, South Carolina. She loved her grandchildren Andrew Michael Samson (Abbie) of Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania; Caitlin Michelle Samson (Ryan) of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania; Tessa Nichole Pinkerman and Kayla Grace Pinkerman of Florence, South Carolina. She is also survived by her loving great-grandchildren Juliana Nedimyer of Tyrone, Pennsylvania, Preston Andrew Samson and Dominic James Samson of Roaring Spring Pennsylvania, Alaina Mae Smith and Camryn Michaela Smith of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Sylvia was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and her sister, Roberta Josephine Crowley. She is survived by Roberta’s children Michael Edward Crowley (Patti), of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Rhonda Sue Crowley Cook, of Sedalia Missouri. A Poem Sylvia chose: To Those I Love, When I am gone, just release me, let me go-, So I can move into my Afterglow, You mustn’t time me down with your tears, Let’s be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love, you can only guess, How much you gave me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, But now it’s time I traveled on alone, So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must, Then let your grief be comforted with trust. It’s only for a while that we must part, So bless the memories with your heart. And then, when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and a Welcome Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church, McLeod Hospice House, The Nature Conservancy, or The Sierra Club. Friends and relatives are invited to her church led Funeral Service on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 11 AM at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1201 Cherokee Road, Florence, South Carolina 29501. A visitation will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Church. A luncheon will be held at the church following the service. Burial will be held at a later date in Clarkson Cemetery, Payne County, Oklahoma. Please sign the Guest Book for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.