Margaret was the 3rd of 5 children born to Shelton Hinson, Jr. & Daisy Fletcher. She attended the Memphis Normal School (teacher's college) until she met a dashing young man stationed in Millington at the Naval Air Academy from Illinois. Robert Black met his new bride but didn't finish the academy as WWII had just ended. They had one son, Bob Black Jr.
Margaret divorced Robert O. Black in the early 1930's. Margaret and her son Bobby moved in with father, "Papoo," and sister, Ardenne, when Bobby was between 12-14.
When she moved to Memphis she worked for the YWCA and the Red Cross. Margaret had known "Whit" (her 2nd husband) as a young girl but both had married others. After becoming reacquainted, she married Cornelius Milton "Whit" Whitaker when her son Bob was in college at Southwestern and remained married until his death. (There is a gravestone in Elmwood for Margaret beside Whit but, after he died, Margaret decided to be buried beside her only son, Robert O Black, Jr. in Forest Hill.) The Hinson children played on the grounds of Forest Hill when it was first developed. Her Aunt, Maggie Fletcher, had married its 1st Superintendent, Henry Riner Eslinger, in 1902 when Nana was 5 years old.
Margaret did not work after she married Whit (1938-39). She was commissioned to paint portraits and landscapes and continually took drawing classes; Mr. Pinzner was her favorite teacher. They traveled all over the world, particularly after Whit's retirement from Standard Oil as manager of Tires, Batteries & Accessories for the SE region of the US. They attended the Methodist church although he was more staunch in his attendance due to his strong, conservative beliefs and participation in the church orchestra where he played the trumpet. He was frugal and had investments in the stock market. When he died, Margaret was comfortable financially.
Margaret closed her son, Bobby's, dental office when he died abruptly at the age of 44. She also closed her sister's (Ardenne) dental office when she developed Alzheimer's. She endured quite a bit in her life but tended to handle it stoically.
Margaret was a quiet person, loving and giving. Stylish, ladylike and attractive, she was called by many to be the "prettiest woman in Memphis." (Recollection: Once, when she traveled to Chicago to meet her first husband's friends as a young bride, she had tea one afternoon with a woman who was born and raised in Chicago. The woman asked Margaret if she would mind if she asked her a personal question. Margaret replied, "Of course not." The woman then proceeded to ask Margaret how long she had been wearing shoes, being born in the south." We laughed about this Southern stereotype for many years.)
"Nana" was one of the kindest, humblest, gentle people I have ever known, never having ever heard a raised voice or ill will toward anyone. She held high standards of behavior for her grandchildren and always exemplified them herself. The only social club to which she belonged was the Nineteenth Century Club but her close group of friends were in her Sewing Club. Having lived through the depression she mended everything but always cautioned us that, if all purchases were of the highest quality, their repair would be minimal~
Margaret was very interested in the family history, taking me to cemeteries and homes in Memphis, advising us on ancestors, and cherishing inherited heirlooms. From her I received my first lessons in genealogy.
Margaret divorced Robert O. Black in the early 1930's. Margaret and her son Bobby moved in with father, "Papoo," and sister, Ardenne, when Bobby was between 12-14.
When she moved to Memphis she worked for the YWCA and the Red Cross. Margaret had known "Whit" (her 2nd husband) as a young girl but both had married others. After becoming reacquainted, she married Cornelius Milton "Whit" Whitaker when her son Bob was in college at Southwestern and remained married until his death. (There is a gravestone in Elmwood for Margaret beside Whit but, after he died, Margaret decided to be buried beside her only son, Robert O Black, Jr. in Forest Hill.) The Hinson children played on the grounds of Forest Hill when it was first developed. Her Aunt, Maggie Fletcher, had married its 1st Superintendent, Henry Riner Eslinger, in 1902 when Nana was 5 years old.
Margaret did not work after she married Whit (1938-39). She was commissioned to paint portraits and landscapes and continually took drawing classes; Mr. Pinzner was her favorite teacher. They traveled all over the world, particularly after Whit's retirement from Standard Oil as manager of Tires, Batteries & Accessories for the SE region of the US. They attended the Methodist church although he was more staunch in his attendance due to his strong, conservative beliefs and participation in the church orchestra where he played the trumpet. He was frugal and had investments in the stock market. When he died, Margaret was comfortable financially.
Margaret closed her son, Bobby's, dental office when he died abruptly at the age of 44. She also closed her sister's (Ardenne) dental office when she developed Alzheimer's. She endured quite a bit in her life but tended to handle it stoically.
Margaret was a quiet person, loving and giving. Stylish, ladylike and attractive, she was called by many to be the "prettiest woman in Memphis." (Recollection: Once, when she traveled to Chicago to meet her first husband's friends as a young bride, she had tea one afternoon with a woman who was born and raised in Chicago. The woman asked Margaret if she would mind if she asked her a personal question. Margaret replied, "Of course not." The woman then proceeded to ask Margaret how long she had been wearing shoes, being born in the south." We laughed about this Southern stereotype for many years.)
"Nana" was one of the kindest, humblest, gentle people I have ever known, never having ever heard a raised voice or ill will toward anyone. She held high standards of behavior for her grandchildren and always exemplified them herself. The only social club to which she belonged was the Nineteenth Century Club but her close group of friends were in her Sewing Club. Having lived through the depression she mended everything but always cautioned us that, if all purchases were of the highest quality, their repair would be minimal~
Margaret was very interested in the family history, taking me to cemeteries and homes in Memphis, advising us on ancestors, and cherishing inherited heirlooms. From her I received my first lessons in genealogy.
Margaret was the 3rd of 5 children born to Shelton Hinson, Jr. & Daisy Fletcher. She attended the Memphis Normal School (teacher's college) until she met a dashing young man stationed in Millington at the Naval Air Academy from Illinois. Robert Black met his new bride but didn't finish the academy as WWII had just ended. They had one son, Bob Black Jr.
Margaret divorced Robert O. Black in the early 1930's. Margaret and her son Bobby moved in with father, "Papoo," and sister, Ardenne, when Bobby was between 12-14.
When she moved to Memphis she worked for the YWCA and the Red Cross. Margaret had known "Whit" (her 2nd husband) as a young girl but both had married others. After becoming reacquainted, she married Cornelius Milton "Whit" Whitaker when her son Bob was in college at Southwestern and remained married until his death. (There is a gravestone in Elmwood for Margaret beside Whit but, after he died, Margaret decided to be buried beside her only son, Robert O Black, Jr. in Forest Hill.) The Hinson children played on the grounds of Forest Hill when it was first developed. Her Aunt, Maggie Fletcher, had married its 1st Superintendent, Henry Riner Eslinger, in 1902 when Nana was 5 years old.
Margaret did not work after she married Whit (1938-39). She was commissioned to paint portraits and landscapes and continually took drawing classes; Mr. Pinzner was her favorite teacher. They traveled all over the world, particularly after Whit's retirement from Standard Oil as manager of Tires, Batteries & Accessories for the SE region of the US. They attended the Methodist church although he was more staunch in his attendance due to his strong, conservative beliefs and participation in the church orchestra where he played the trumpet. He was frugal and had investments in the stock market. When he died, Margaret was comfortable financially.
Margaret closed her son, Bobby's, dental office when he died abruptly at the age of 44. She also closed her sister's (Ardenne) dental office when she developed Alzheimer's. She endured quite a bit in her life but tended to handle it stoically.
Margaret was a quiet person, loving and giving. Stylish, ladylike and attractive, she was called by many to be the "prettiest woman in Memphis." (Recollection: Once, when she traveled to Chicago to meet her first husband's friends as a young bride, she had tea one afternoon with a woman who was born and raised in Chicago. The woman asked Margaret if she would mind if she asked her a personal question. Margaret replied, "Of course not." The woman then proceeded to ask Margaret how long she had been wearing shoes, being born in the south." We laughed about this Southern stereotype for many years.)
"Nana" was one of the kindest, humblest, gentle people I have ever known, never having ever heard a raised voice or ill will toward anyone. She held high standards of behavior for her grandchildren and always exemplified them herself. The only social club to which she belonged was the Nineteenth Century Club but her close group of friends were in her Sewing Club. Having lived through the depression she mended everything but always cautioned us that, if all purchases were of the highest quality, their repair would be minimal~
Margaret was very interested in the family history, taking me to cemeteries and homes in Memphis, advising us on ancestors, and cherishing inherited heirlooms. From her I received my first lessons in genealogy.
Margaret divorced Robert O. Black in the early 1930's. Margaret and her son Bobby moved in with father, "Papoo," and sister, Ardenne, when Bobby was between 12-14.
When she moved to Memphis she worked for the YWCA and the Red Cross. Margaret had known "Whit" (her 2nd husband) as a young girl but both had married others. After becoming reacquainted, she married Cornelius Milton "Whit" Whitaker when her son Bob was in college at Southwestern and remained married until his death. (There is a gravestone in Elmwood for Margaret beside Whit but, after he died, Margaret decided to be buried beside her only son, Robert O Black, Jr. in Forest Hill.) The Hinson children played on the grounds of Forest Hill when it was first developed. Her Aunt, Maggie Fletcher, had married its 1st Superintendent, Henry Riner Eslinger, in 1902 when Nana was 5 years old.
Margaret did not work after she married Whit (1938-39). She was commissioned to paint portraits and landscapes and continually took drawing classes; Mr. Pinzner was her favorite teacher. They traveled all over the world, particularly after Whit's retirement from Standard Oil as manager of Tires, Batteries & Accessories for the SE region of the US. They attended the Methodist church although he was more staunch in his attendance due to his strong, conservative beliefs and participation in the church orchestra where he played the trumpet. He was frugal and had investments in the stock market. When he died, Margaret was comfortable financially.
Margaret closed her son, Bobby's, dental office when he died abruptly at the age of 44. She also closed her sister's (Ardenne) dental office when she developed Alzheimer's. She endured quite a bit in her life but tended to handle it stoically.
Margaret was a quiet person, loving and giving. Stylish, ladylike and attractive, she was called by many to be the "prettiest woman in Memphis." (Recollection: Once, when she traveled to Chicago to meet her first husband's friends as a young bride, she had tea one afternoon with a woman who was born and raised in Chicago. The woman asked Margaret if she would mind if she asked her a personal question. Margaret replied, "Of course not." The woman then proceeded to ask Margaret how long she had been wearing shoes, being born in the south." We laughed about this Southern stereotype for many years.)
"Nana" was one of the kindest, humblest, gentle people I have ever known, never having ever heard a raised voice or ill will toward anyone. She held high standards of behavior for her grandchildren and always exemplified them herself. The only social club to which she belonged was the Nineteenth Century Club but her close group of friends were in her Sewing Club. Having lived through the depression she mended everything but always cautioned us that, if all purchases were of the highest quality, their repair would be minimal~
Margaret was very interested in the family history, taking me to cemeteries and homes in Memphis, advising us on ancestors, and cherishing inherited heirlooms. From her I received my first lessons in genealogy.
Bio by: Brenda Black Watson
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