Monta Patton Hinkle

Monta Patton Hinkle, 84, of Amarillo, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at the Care Cottage in Amarillo.

Services will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Pastor Joel Osborne, pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Monta was born on April 29, 1940 in Pampa to Arbra Leonard and Iva Lala Keel Patton. She attended school in Pampa and graduated from Pampa High School in 1958. After graduating, Monta went to earn her bachelor's degree from West Texas University in 1962. She taught at Horace Mann in Amarillo for a couple years before moving back to Pampa. Monta taught the first, third, and fifth grade at Wilson Elementary, and eventually at Horace Mann Elementary. She also taught art at Pampa High School.

Monta worked as an educator for 42 years until her retirement in the early 2000’s. After her retirement, she was still finding ways to work with children by volunteering with Gray County Latchkey and CASA of the High Plains. Monta enjoyed art and traveling with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arbra and Iva Patton; her son, Jeff Hinkle; and her sister, Jeanette Lyon.

She survived by her daughter, Jennifer Hope of Studio City, California; her brother, Max Patton of Silver Dollar City, Missouri; six nieces and nephews, Michael Lyon, Mellonee Grange, Melinda Lyon-Bell, Wade Patton, Weston Patton, and Amanda Patton; her special friend, Bill Thompson; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Monta’s family would like to extend a special thanks to her caregiver, Maria Ford, for the excellent care she gave to Monta.