Emmer Jean (Shelton) Hinkson, born on July 31, 1932. She transitioned from earthly presence and received her final appointment into God’s Kingdom on May 26, 2025. Jean, as she was called, was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was the 6^th child of 10 children to the union of Reverend Alex Wyatt Shelton and Alberta Reede-Shelton. In 1944, the Shelton family moved from Bessemer Alabama to Akron Ohio. At an early age Jean accepted and established a personal relationship with Christ and began her journey with the Lord. Jean had no shame in talking about the Lord, what he has done for her and what he could do for others. Her formal education included attending David Hill Elementary School and graduating from East High School. In November 1953 Jean married Dalbert DaCosta Hinkson and moved to Brooklyn New York City shortly after. From this union came two children, Dennis and Simonne  and two grandchildren, Jennifer and Jamil. Jean resided in New York for over 15 years before moving to Chicago where she lived for 3 years. She returned to Akron in the early 70’s.

In New York, she worked as a secretary for the Public School System, and a receptionist/switchboard operator for prestigious law firms. She volunteered for over 13 years with the Boys and Girls Scouts. She was instrumental in getting male African Americans hired as construction workers. Her efforts, along with her demonstrations landed her and others in jail. She was also instrumental in fighting for housing and educational discrimination. Jean was well known on the picket lines and for speaking out for the rights of others. She worked alongside Shirley Chisholm and Jesse Jackson. She organized the collaboration of the banks and the school system to teach children how to save money. She organized a library at one of the schools. She wore several hats in her children’s school.

In Chicago, Jean worked as a consumer credit counselor at one of the largest banks in Chicago. She was also at the right place at the right time saving a co-workers life by constraining her during a seizure. She received an award for a quick response.

She moved back to Akron in the early 70s where she became a member of The Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She was employed with Community Action Council (CAC) as the secretary to the Core Program.  She then left and became employed with the Western Reserve Girl Scout Council in Akron, where she retired after 18 ½ years of service.  Jean was the first black female to retire from the Girl Scout Council in Akron.  She has had many accomplishments while working at the Girl Scouts. Although one of her job duties was to recruit, train and place all leaders and girls, she is most proud of her accomplishment of being instrumental and tenacious in recruiting black girl scout troop leaders and  organizing black girl scout troops. She was also instrumental in three black scouts (for the first time)  receiving the Gold Award, which is the highest award that any girl can receive in girl scouting.

Although Jean retired from the Girl Scouts, she still remained very active in her church, serving on several ministries and holding various offices. One of her biggest accomplishments was being the Women’s Day Chairperson in 1987 and raising over $10,000.  It was the first time in the history of the church to raise such an amount.  Jean’s memberships in community organizations consist of, but are not limited to:  Lifetime member of the NAACP, The National Council of Negro Women, Western Reserve Girl Scout Council and the Young at Hearts, a senior’s group.

She had the opportunity to attend the Million Man March, the Million Women March, and the Million Family March (Jean really marched!!). Throughout her life she was one of the unsung civil rights activists, always fighting and promoting for equal rights and justice. Jean also worked part-time at Stewart and Calhoun’s Funeral Home, doing what she did best – helping and caring for others.

Jean loved Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, so much that when the company was notified about Jean being their biggest fan, they sent her coupons and Ben and Jerry attire.

In her spare time, she took great joy in being with her children, Dennis and Simonne and especially her grandchildren Jennifer and Jamil.

Jean said she learned at a very early age that, “Only What You Do For Christ Will Last”.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Alex Wyatt Shelton and Alberta Reede-Shelton, siblings, Alex Wyatt, Jr. Robert Pollard, Lucy Pearl, Lula Bell, Rev.LeRoy, Jesse William Rev. Willie James and Nona Moore. Jean leaves behind to continue the “March” her brother Al (Mary Linda) her son, Dennis, daughter, Simonne, grandchildren, Jennifer, Jamil. Ramont, Jamil’s father, family, friends, Church Family and Community.