Lula Frances Kinnear

Lula Frances (Cooler/ Pack) Kinnear, was known as “Mama K” to her family and friends. Born Dec. 15, 1926, she passed away on Thursday, Oct. 04, 2018 at the age of 91.  The family is grateful to the Benton House Assisted Living Facility in Bluffton, SC for their care and support during the last year.

Mrs. Kinnear, the youngest daughter of Jim and Mittie (Walls) Cooler, was born in the Red Dam area of Jasper County. She graduated from Hardeeville High School. During World War II, she lived at home with her parents while her three oldest brothers went into the service. She frequently told her family stories of how she and her father would go to the railroad depot in Hardeeville. When the troop trains would stop, the two of them would collect letters from the soldiers who were travelling north to be deployed to Europe. They would take the letters to the post office to be mailed. Lula also served as a civilian volunteer, watching for enemy planes.

Lula married Earl J. Pack, on Nov. 14, 1947. They had three children. She later married Paul C. Kinnear, on December 3^rd, 1954, and had two children.  They resided in Illinois before moving back to Hardeeville, South Carolina. After retiring from the railroad, they moved to Temple, Texas in 1992. They remained there until Paul passed in 1998. She was an active member of the Texas Society Order of Confederate Rose, Chapter 19, Wildflowers of Texas and supported the Major Robert M. White Camp #1250, Sons of Confederate Veterans, of Temple, Texas. Sometime around 2014, Lula returned home to South Carolina. She would always tell her children and grandchildren that when they saw the full moon she would be looking back at them. She had a great love for the military. If she saw a man or woman in uniform, she would always need to give a hug and thank them for their military service. She loved the Church and helped start the Tuesday Lady’s Bible Class. She said “if you were going to visit her do not do it on Tuesday.”

She is survived by sons Earl John Pack and Deanna, of Newport, Washington, Larry C. Pack and wife, Brenda, of Ellabell, Georgia, and James P. Kinnear, of Gatesville, Texas, and daughters Earline F. Woods and husband, Roger, of Pritchardville, South Carolina, and Linda S. Wooley and husband, Steve, of Temple, Texas. There are 21 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and 2 great, great grandchildren. There are also several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Visitation on Oct.8 from 3 to 4 pm. Service and burial will follow at the Maye River Baptist Church, Bluffton, South Carolina, where she attended. Sauls Funeral Home, in Bluffton, South Carolina, will be handling the arrangements. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Lula’s memory to Maye River Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Maye River Baptist Church, 3507 Okatie Highway, Bluffton, South Carolina 29909.  

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