Laura Hines

Laura Hines

Chesnee, SC.

Ava Laura Jenkins Hines passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, peacefully, at the age of 95. 

Laura was born in Cleveland County, NC on March 23, 1929 to the late Doctor Micheaux and Alpha Harmon Jenkins. She attended the Waco, NC school system, where she was the first woman school bus driver in Cleveland County. Laura furthered her education at Pfeiffer Jr College where she played on the women’s basketball team. From there, Laura graduated Greensboro Woman’s College (UNCG) with a BS in Home Economics and a minor in the sciences. Her teaching career began at Lattimore High School as a home economics teacher. Shortly after, Laura met and married John Alton Hines, Jr, settling in Chesnee SC. They were happily married for 50 rewarding years. Her teaching career spanned three decades, primarily at Chesnee High School, as a home economics teacher. 

Later in life, after the death of John, Laura then married Ray Homesley, her high school sweetheart. They shared 16 wonderful years together travelling and gardening. 

Laura will be remembered and enormously missed by her family and many who knew her as a soft spoken, tender giving person. Her many talents included square dancing, quilting, oil and water color painting, cake decorating and being Master Gardner certified. As a Santa lover and collector, she for many years shared her hand crafted Santas with friends and family. 

A longtime member of Chesnee United Methodist Church, Laura was very active with the United Methodist Women serving in a variety of leadership roles. 

Laura is survived by her daughter Jane Biddix of Belmont, NC and two sons, Alton (Wendy) Hines and Leo Hines of Chesnee, SC. She was blessed with six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. 

In addition to her parents, Laura is predeceased by her first husband John, son-in-law Benny Biddix, sister Lea Grande, brother Thomas Jenkins, grandson Lee Biddix and second husband Ray Homesley. 

There will be a graveside service at Springhill Memorial Gardens, Chesnee, SC on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 12 noon. Receiving of friends and a reception to follow at Chesnee United Methodist Church, 409 S Kentucky Ave, Chesnee, SC. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to her beloved church, Chesnee United Methodist, at the address above.