Irma Jean Hines

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, our beloved Irma Jean Hines, entered into eternal rest as a new day dawned, weary of body and faint of soul, Irma heard the call of the Lord and peacefully slipped away to rest from her labor. 

Irma was born in Hobgood, North Carolina on June 3, 1940 to the late William Surlester Lawrence and Alice Bryant Lawrence. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age, was baptized and became a devoted and active lifetime member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia where she served as a Trustee and member of both the Choir and Usher Board under the Administration of Dr. I Joseph Williams until illness befell her. 

Jean, as she was fondly called, loved spending time with her family and traveling and shopping with her Cousin Mary Elizabeth Corprew. She loved unique but timeless clothing with matching shoes, purses, hats and when appropriate gloves. 

Irma attended public schools in Norfolk, Virginia where she graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended Norfolk State College, (now Norfolk State University). Irma was employed as a Medical Transcriptionist at Norfolk Community Hospital for over twenty (20) years. For several years after, Irma was employed at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Hampton, Virginia until she launched her own entrepreneurial endeavor, “Irma’s Transcription Service” which she owned and operated until her retirement in the late 1990’s. During her career, Irma was the recipient of numerous commendations and certifications. She was also affiliated with various professional and community organizations including the Toastmasters International-Virginia Beach Club and the Norfolk Chapter of the National Delicados. 

Irma married the love of her life, Philip A. Hines, on April 11, 1964. To this union, no children were born but many sent by God, who included her surviving, God- children, Therman Corprew, Jr. of Chesapeake, Virginia and Talya Hollman of Clinton, Maryland. 

Irma was predeceased by her husband Phillip A. Hines of Chesapeake, Virginia; her parents, William Surlester Lawrence and Alice Bryant Lawrence; her brother Charles S. Lawrence and her eldest sister and caregiver, Mamie Lee Ratliff and Brother-in-love Robert Ratliff; all of Norfolk, Virginia. 

Irma also leaves to cherish her memory two sisters, Sylvia Jerry of Millington, Tennessee and Marian Jackson and Brother-in-love Glenn Jackson of Orlando, Florida; one brother, William T. Lawrence and Sister-in-love Regina Lawrence of Chesapeake, Virginia; Nieces and Nephews: Diane Belle (Terry), Darlene Ratliff, Bernard Jerry (Stephanie), Nina Lawrence, Anita Rodgers (Micah), Adrienne Jerry- Poitier (Trevor), Sherri Edmonds (Brian), Kathy Prince (Jonathan), Paul Lawrence, Teresa Lawrence, Kisha Brown (Jackson), Tynisha Lawrence and a host of beloved great nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.