Ginger Kinlaw

Ginger Kay Smith was born on March 1st, 1952. She grew up on the shores of White Lake, NC. In 1970 she met the love of her life, Gene Wallace Kinlaw, and they began a wonderful 41-year journey that gave them a son, a daughter, and nine grandchildren.

Ginger was a lover of all animals, especially dogs, and was a professional breeder of Labrador Retrievers. She produced several champion dogs, some of which became seeing eye dogs and certified therapy dogs. This was a love that she shared with her husband, family, and friends.

In 1996, Ginger was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, and together with Gene, began a 17-year battle with her health. She chose to become involved in experimental programs and treatments to attend to her illness, and became a hero to everyone she touched. Her participation in these programs put her on the very front lines of the fight against cancer, in an effort that she might help others down the line. She did this with a smile on her face and love in her heart.

A devoted wife, mother, and friend, Ginger always tried to find the good in everything. She loved her family and friends and she loved our Lord. She left us to be with Him on January 20th, 2013, and we know she is embraced in His light.

Ginger was preceded in death by her father, Edwin Carlyle Smith, and her mother, Hazel Atkinson Smith, both of White Lake.

She leaves behind her husband, Gene Wallace Kinlaw, children, Shannon Kinlaw and wife, Heather, of Bladenboro, and Krystanna Havard and husband, Mitch, of Huntington, Texas, also her daughter-in-love, Billie Jean Parham of Bladenboro. We will miss you, mama.

She nurtured and bade farewell to nine grandchildren, Hannah, Sydnie and Gracie Havard, Kelsey, Rheanna, Matthew and Payton Kinlaw, Kayleann Parham, and Zella Wright.

She is loved and missed also by two brothers, Hal Smith and wife, Lisa, of Fuquay-Varina, NC, and Keith Smith and wife Brenda of Elizabethtown, also sister-in-law Sherry Hall of Bladenboro and several nieces and nephews.