Howard "Hal" Hines, Jr.

Obituary For Howard "Hal" Hines, Jr.

Howard was an only child, born in Chicago, IL on August 13, 1955 to the union of Howard Hines, Sr. and Berneita Braddy Hines. He was the affectionately called “Hal” by his family.

Hal loved the Lord and was an active church member all his life. He was baptized at the age of four at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Florence, MS during a summer visit. When he returned to Chicago he united with Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, IL under the leadership of the late Rev. James Bass. When he relocated to Brooklyn, New York in 1979, Hal joined the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Johnny Ray Youngblood where he remained a faithful member until the Lord called him home.

Hal attended grade school in Chicago Public School System and high school at Walther Lutheran High School until his senior year. He graduated in 1974 from Florence High School in Florence, MS and then attended Jackson State University where he graduated in 1978 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Communicative Disorders. Hal’s love for sign language started when he discovered he had a cousin who was deaf, and he wanted to sign with her. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Hal decided to spread his wings and start a new adventure in New York, living in Brooklyn for almost forty-five years. Hal’s thirst for education continued in New York where in 1981, he obtained his Masters’ Degree from New York University in Deafness Rehabilitation. In 1984, he received his Certificate of Completion from the New York Society for the Deaf Interpreter Training Program. In 2010 from Hunter College, he received his Master of Social Work Degree. In early Summer 2022, Hal was call to the Ministry. He started his Seminary classed in September 2022, but God had something else for him to do.

Howard was a dedicated employee and had an accomplished career with numerous awards and special recognitions. From 1981 to 1992 he was employed by the New York Founding Hospital as a Social Worker /Counselor. Howard also worked a second job in 1985 for six months with New York Society for Deaf as a supervisor. From 1992 until April 2007, he was employed at the New York City College of Technology as the Program Director. From April 2007 until his retirement in December 2022 he was employed by the City University of New York Office of Student Affairs as the Director of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. He also held a second job from 1990 through December 2022 with the College of New Rochelle (Brooklyn and Manhattan Campuses) as an adjunct professor.

Howard was the second President of the National Alliance of Black Interpreters NYC Chapter. He served in that capacity from 2001-2004. Howard had received a Masters degree in Deafness Rehabilitation and a Masters degree in Social Work and was the ideal President to keep his membership focused on skill development, certification exams and community outreach.

Howard served as a freelance sign language interpreter appearing on Broadway shows. He was viewed as a “Musical Sign Language Artist”. An honor bestowed upon him by the Black Deaf community. Howard was a mentor, a supporter and an encourager for many aspiring interpreters and those in our African American Black Deaf/Hearing interpreting community. Howard loved people and people loved Howard. He as our king with an uplifting spirit towards everyone he met. He will be truly missed by the membership and friends of the National Alliance of Black Interpreters-NAOBI-NYC.

As a former Board member of NYC Black Deaf Advocates, and former President of the NYC chapter of NAOBI-NYC. Howard’s aim was to increase the number of BIPOC (Black Indigenous, and People of Color) Black Interpreters….especially males.

Howard was an active member of ADODI, a Spiritual Brotherhood Organization for Black Same-Sex-Loving Men from the African Diaspora, for over twenty-five years. As a member of the New York Planning Committee for fifteen years, he shared his organizational, spiritual and interpreting skills which moved the international organization from two chapters to six. Howard was an inspirational leader and a friend to all he encountered. His legacy will continue to guide the organization’s growth.

Howard was also a trailblazer as the first Black male to interpret a Broadway performance. He was a renowned Master Sign Language Interpreter who interpreted for the likes of President Bill Clinton, First Lade Michelle Obama, James Earl Jones (Fences0 and a collection of Broadway Shows.

Hal’s biggest love was performing for his family and friends who he cared for deeply. He loved to laugh, tease and made the Braddy’s and the Hines’ reunions a blast! He performed at every family reunion, every party and even funerals.

Hal loved his mother and was dedicated to ensuring she was always comfortable and had the best life he could provide. He often honored her at family gatherings by serenading her through sign interpretation with ‘A song for Mama’ by Boyz II Men or ‘Angels Watching Over Me’. Their bond was unbreakable. In his mother’s words: Hal was the best son a mother could have a wonderful child full of energy with a heart of Gold. He met no strangers and loved everyone. He had a mind to listen and defuse any problem and tried to help everybody. Hal felt as if there was no one like his Mother and I felt the same way about him. I loved him!! If I didn’t understand something I could always call him, and he would make it so simple for me to understand. I was so proud of Hal and all his accomplishments. He always ended his conversation with Love ya, see ya, bye!!!

Hal unexpectedly departed this earthy life on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Hines, Sr. His maternal grandparents, RT and Juanita Braddy and his paternal grandparents Ezell and Desma Hines. His maternal uncles, Albert Hollimon, Lewis, Walter, and RT Braddy and his maternal aunts Barbara Smith, Helen Spence, Oralean and Diane Braddy. His paternal uncle Raymond Hines and his paternal aunts Gladysteen and Geneva Hines. His maternal first cousins Roma Lynn Hundley and Brenda Ann Braddy Johnson and his paternal first cousins Reneta McLin-Walls and Katrina Hines.

Hal’s life is celebrated by his loving mother Berneita Braddy Hines, adopted daughter Renanda (Cleo) Fletcher and her sons Thomas and Makye; Aunts and Uncles – Earnestine Hollimon, Mary Berry, Linda Braddy, Joe (Jessie), Robert, Levertis (Rose), Leonard (Dorris), James (Bobbie) Braddy, LaDoraz McLin, George, Prescott and Evone (Liz) Hines and 75+ first cousins and their offspring’s. He is also celebrated by special friends - G. Sandy Bryant-Gumbs, Ray Culbreth, Dewayne Graham, Paul Hatten, Pearl Johnson, Dr. Doddjerry McMillion, Jason Minnick and many, many more across the United States.

Public Visitation will be Friday, March 31, 2023 at Westhaven Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The family will greet family and friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Westhaven and again Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the church from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 11:45 a.m., Good Hope M.B. Church, 747 R. T. Braddy Road, Florence, MS 39073 with burial in Good Hope Church Cemetery, 747 R.T. Braddy Road, Florence, MS 39073.