Josephine Church Spinks

Josephine “Jo” Church Spinks, 94, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away on August 10, 2010, at Golden Living Center in Atlanta.
Josephine was the perfect example of a life lived abundantly. A long time resident of Atlanta, she was born on Feb. 23, 1916, to Colquitt and Lurleen Church. She grew up as an only child, and was definitely a “city girl”. A hat and gloves were necessary accessories anytime she left the house.
Jo took full advantage of living in the city. She worked downtown as a secretary and rode the streetcars everywhere. She often enjoyed the Fox and Loews Grand Theatres and loved to dance. She led a very social life until she met a handsome Navy man, Halton Spinks. They were married on August 20, 1937, and lived in Atlanta for a while before moving to Marietta and the country. They were married for 58 years, and had five children, who survive Josephine—-Joy Cohen Davis, Blue Ridge, Ga.; Brenda Ayer, Huntington Beach, Ca.; Carl Wanda Spinks, Jr., Lafayette, Ga.; Pat James Holcomb, Marietta, Ga.; and Meri Richard Hunter, Lawrenceville, Ga.;12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Her husband, Halton, passed away Feb., 1996.
In the 1940’s, Mr. Spinks joined his brothers in opening a restaurant, the Triple H Inn on Cobb Parkway in Marietta. It was the first family-style restaurant in Cobb County. Many prominent Cobb County families would lunch there on Sundays after church. Josephine worked with the brothers as a hostess.
She was a wonderful cook and made the best fried chicken and chicken ‘n dumplings in town along with many vegetables from their garden. She baked wonderful cakes and pies but lemon pie was her specialty. Sunday lunch after church was a weekly tradition enjoyed by her children and their friends, always a crowd usually including the minister and his family!
She also had a green thumb and grew many beautiful plants and flowers.
She enjoyed babysitting with the grandchildren while their parents worked and having them spend time with Halton and her in the summer. Her happiest times were spent in being with her family including yearly trips with her 4 daughters.
Her life was dedicated to her family and churches, New Hope Methodist, Hillside United Methodist and East Cobb United Methodist. She was dearly loved by her entire family and many friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at East Cobb UMC, 2325 Roswell Rd. in Marietta on Saturday, August 21st at 11:00 a.m. Visitation with the family will be from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:
The Alzheimer’s Association
1925 Century Blvd., Suite 10,
Atlanta, GA 30345