Velma C. Cruger Hinkle, 91 of Waco passed away Tuesday May 11 in Hewitt. Services will be 10 am Friday, May 14, at Bellmead Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Waco Memorial Park Visitation will be Thursday, May 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bellmead Funeral Home. She was born on July 11, 1918, in Coleman County, Texas, to Pleman and Mary Lou Cruger. She graduated from Santa Anna High School and upon graduation went to work as a linotype operator for the Santa Anna News. She met Willard Hinkle in 1941 and they married on March 23, 1946, after his return from World War II. They moved to Oklahoma where he attended and completed his studies at Oklahoma A&M. They moved from there to San Marcos where Willard worked in civil service for Gary AFB. From there they moved to Waco in 1949 where they bought land in the Connally district and Willard worked for James Connally AFB. Together they began by raising chickens and then registered polled Herefords. Velma worked as secretary for Connally Junior High School and retired after 20 years of service. She has been an active member of the Lakeview United Methodist Church since 1957 and served on many church committees during those years. Velma is preceded in death by Willard, her husband of 56 years, her parents, one brother, three sisters, and her son-in-law David Edwards. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Cunningham and husband Dub and granddaughter Kristin Cunningham of Waco, by her daughter Karen Edwards of Waco and grandson Josh Edwards and wife Kristi and great-grandson Blevin of Terrell, and by grandson Justin Edwards and wife Lauren and great-grandson Hunter of Waco. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Don Hancock, James Saucier, David Saucier, Warren Saucier, Tommy Bass, and Mike Montgomery. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Gumbert and Randy Saucier. The family wants to thank Veda Morris and the staff at the Bentley House and Southern Care Hospice for taking such good care of Velma. Memorials may be sent to the Willard and Velma Hinkle Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Educators Credit Union at TSTC for the purpose of awarding a scholarship to a Connally graduate each year.