Marilyn Ann Hinton, age 75, of Parker, Texas, passed away on July 31, 2024. She was born on June 22, 1949 to Ruby and Delbert Alexander in Evanston, Illinois. Marilyn earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Drama from Fisk University and Master’s in Education from Howard University. Her professional
career centered around education and her community. She was a teacher in Plano ISD’s Head Start program and mentored several students throughout the school district. She was a former member of the Plano Symphony Orchestra Virtuoso Society and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. as well as the Plano Metro
Rotary Club. She was a graduate of Leadership Plano Class of 27. She served on the Board of Directors for The Samaritan Inn. She chaired the Family Services Committee for South Collin County Habitat for Humanity. She was also on the national Board of Directors for Character Education Partnership located in Washington, DC. She also volunteered at the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center and taught Sunday School. Marilyn taught early childhood education classes at Brookhaven and Richland Colleges and was the Director of Children Services at Interfaith Housing Coalition, a non-profit agency for homeless and transitional families. Marilyn was most proud of her two terms on the Plano ISD School Board – she was a fierce advocate for access to education and character development. Her fellow trustees elected her as board secretary. When Marilyn was elected to the School Board, she was the first minority member in its 110-year history. Marilyn is predeceased by her parents, Ruby and Delbert Alexander, and her siblings Shirley Edens, Elbert Jr. (Penny) Alexander and John (Duck) Alexander. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Dr. James Hinton; her daughters, Dr. Leilani Hinton and Mai Hinton Harman; her grand-daughter, Anaïs Stewart; her son-in-law, Luke Harman; her nieces, Michelle and Leslie Alexander; and a large group of friends who considered her family.
career centered around education and her community. She was a teacher in Plano ISD’s Head Start program and mentored several students throughout the school district. She was a former member of the Plano Symphony Orchestra Virtuoso Society and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. as well as the Plano Metro
Rotary Club. She was a graduate of Leadership Plano Class of 27. She served on the Board of Directors for The Samaritan Inn. She chaired the Family Services Committee for South Collin County Habitat for Humanity. She was also on the national Board of Directors for Character Education Partnership located in Washington, DC. She also volunteered at the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center and taught Sunday School. Marilyn taught early childhood education classes at Brookhaven and Richland Colleges and was the Director of Children Services at Interfaith Housing Coalition, a non-profit agency for homeless and transitional families. Marilyn was most proud of her two terms on the Plano ISD School Board – she was a fierce advocate for access to education and character development. Her fellow trustees elected her as board secretary. When Marilyn was elected to the School Board, she was the first minority member in its 110-year history. Marilyn is predeceased by her parents, Ruby and Delbert Alexander, and her siblings Shirley Edens, Elbert Jr. (Penny) Alexander and John (Duck) Alexander. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Dr. James Hinton; her daughters, Dr. Leilani Hinton and Mai Hinton Harman; her grand-daughter, Anaïs Stewart; her son-in-law, Luke Harman; her nieces, Michelle and Leslie Alexander; and a large group of friends who considered her family.
Marilyn and Jim Hinton joined Community Unitarian Universalist Church of Plano on October 22, 1998.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 17 at 3:00 p.m. at Community Unitarian Universalist Church located at 2875 East Parker Road, Plano, Texas 75074.