Ella M. Hines was born on January 17, 1937, in Henderson, Tennessee to the union of Mattie Mae (Barham) Thomas and Luther Thomas.  She had a loving childhood and completed her 12-grade high school education at John R. Buchtel.  She was a member of Second Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Roderick C. Pounds.  She loved her church home and fellow parishioners.  Throughout her lifetime, she worked at Akron National Bank, Brecksville V.A. Hospital, and Summa Akron City Hospital. Her most recent position was as a grandmother for the Akron Public Schools.  She always gave 100%.  Ella Mae married John Thomas Irvine and to this union was born 2 children, Gregory Jerome Irvine, Sr. and Darla Renee (Irvine) Brazile.  She loved sending cards to encourage people, dressing up, and keeping her nails polished.  But many knew that one of her greatest love was shopping at Acme #1 as well as cooking and feeding people.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Thomas Irvine; parents, Luther Thomas, and Mattie Mae Thomas; brother, Charles Thomas.

She is survived by her son, Gregory Jerome Irvine. Sr; daughter, Darla (Vincent) Renee Brazile; grandchildren, Gregory Jerome Irvine, Jr., Vincent Brazile, Jr.; granddaughters, Nicole Lynette Evans, Detra Danelle Antoine, Vanessa Brazile, Valinda Brazile, and Channel Brazile and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, cousins, other family members, and friends.