Wincie Emma Caroline Hendricks departed this life on March 11, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Issac Anderson Buckner and Mattie Bird Wood Buckner on December 14, 1937, in Heber Springs, Arkansas. She was a member of a very large family that got by with subsistence farming. She worked hard on the farm and managed to graduate Quitman High School as the salutatorian in 1956. She moved to Fort Smith along with her sister who had married a officer at Fort Chaffee. She went to work at ABF and met Jerry Hendricks on a blind date. They were married a few short months later on October 10, 1959.
Wincie was quite the pioneer woman and was a renowned cook, she could cook anything from a country meal to gourmet dining. She grew her own herbs and vegetables and made her own pasta and breads. She was known for her famous pickles and custard. She instilled in her children and grandchildren her love of cooking and zest for life.
Wincie was an avid fisherman and hunter. She hunted turkey, deer, wild hogs and squirrel alongside her husband of 58 years and she may have been the better shot. She and Jerry also loved spending time at their places at Lakes Tenkiller and Ouachita and loved to travel throughout Europe with many trips to Italy and Ireland. She had a spectacular trip to the Vatican, and met the Pope along with her daughter, Angie, that she often reflected upon. She was a humble and gentle soul. No unkind word ever passed her lips. She was always looking for the positive and the best in everyone and everything.
She was more importantly a mother, grandmother and homemaker but she was also a public servant. She managed the Sunshine Shop at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center for a decade. She was on the parish history committee that compiled the Immaculate Conception sesquicentennial history entitled, From the Foundation Up – The Story of a Frontier Parish. Wincie was a member of Immaculate Conception Church. She was also a member of the St, Edward Auxiliary and membership chair of the Fort Smith Historical Society and served on its editorial board. Wincie also enjoyed her time with the Outdoors Women of Arkansas. She was also an avid supporter of the Cheyenne River Indian Outreach for Children.
Wincie was preceded in death by her parents, Issac Anderson Buckner and Mattie Bird Wood Buckner; and her sisters, Ceil Bell, Rena Menees, Madge Kirby; and brother, Thomas Buckner. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Patrick Hendricks, of the home; brother, Ronnie Buckner, of Conway; son, Andy Hendricks and his wife, Annie Hendricks and their children, Emma Hendricks, Rachael Hendricks and Andrew Hendricks, all of Fort Smith; daughter, Angie Upchurch and her husband, Greg Upchurch, and their son, Patrick Upchurch and his wife, Whitney Upchurch; Julie Stec and husband David Stec and their children, Nicole Phillps and husband, Zac Phillips, and their children and Wincie’s great grandchildren, Annette and Dane Phillips of Fort Smith and April Stec of Fort Smith, daughter, Liz Esch, and her children, Caroline and Dylan Esch of Fayetteville.
The Rosary and visitation will be on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at 6:30 pm at Edwards Funeral Home. The mass celebrating Wincie’s life will be on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at Immaculate Conception Church at 11:00 am. There will be a reception following in the parish center.
Pall bearers will be Patrick Upchurch, Dylan Esch, Andrew Hendricks, Zac Phillips, Ducote Haynes, Roger Meek, Ron Wilson, and John David Craig.
The family gives a special thank you to all the kind and considerate professionals at the Mercy Medical Center for the outstanding care Wincie received.
Memorials may be made in her name to Immaculate Conception Church and the Fort Smith Historical Society.
Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
