Thais "Terri" Elaine Austin Hines
December 31, 1935 — January 21, 2026

Thais "Terri" Hines, a radiant matriarch, gifted artist, joyful storyteller, and keeper of family legacy has peacefully transitioned on January 21, 2026. Born December 31, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts, she lived a life rich with courage, creativity, laughter, music, flavor, and love.

Her remarkable journey carried her across the country in this order: Boston, Massachusetts; Limestone, Maine; Omaha, Nebraska; Fairbanks, Alaska; Shreveport, Louisiana;; Cambridge , Massachusetts; Hampton, Virginia; St. Louis, Missouri; San Bernardino, California; and Fort Worth, Texas before returning home to Hampton, Virginia, where she completed her earthly walk. Everywhere she lived, she built community, lifted spirits, and left behind stories people will smile about for generations.

Terri was first and foremost a devoted Air Force wife and mother, holding her household together during decades of military service and long deployments by her husband, Chief Master Sergeant Thomas Ben Hines. Raising her children during the Jim Crow era, she carried strength, dignity, resilience, and quiet resistance, always modeling courage, independence, and unwavering devotion to family.

She was a gifted jazz singer, a joyful dancer, a passionate reader, a brilliant storyteller, and a legendary cook whose kitchen fed both hearts and souls. Her laughter filled rooms. Her humor lifted burdens. Her creativity flowed through music, writing, storytelling, and everyday life and those gifts live on through her children, grandchildren, and the generations who proudly carry her spark. Her talents, artistry, and joyful spirit became a family inheritance.

Terri hummed her way through life, living by her guiding mantra: "Chin high, press forward." A free spirit with quiet authority, she taught her children to be strong under adversity, present without shrinking, confident without arrogance, and bold without needing to shout. She did it all for her family — always.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Chief Master Sergeant (USAF) Thomas Ben Hines; her son Carey Alexander Hines; her father, John Alexander Austin; her mother, Bessie Marie Jones Austin Wren; and her sister, Jean Marie Austin Nicholson.

She leaves to cherish and honor her memory her brother, Richard Calvin Austin; her six children: Laura Jean Hines, Brenda Cheryl Hines, Linda Marie Hines Williams, Mitchell Thomas Hines, Stacie Michelle Castellanos, and Djuan Germaine Hines; a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren along with her cherished lifelong friend, Shirley Redd Woodson.

As Maya Angelou wrote, "People may not remember what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel."  And all who knew Terri will forever remember how she made them feel: full, warm, inspired, fearless, and deeply loved. Her love lives on. Her music lingers. Her laughter echoes. Her legacy endures.

Viewing will be from 3-6 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026 at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. unitl the hour of the service on Tuesday. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the funeral home.  Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

WEATHER ALERT

In the event of inclement weather this obituary will be updated to include adjusted viewing and service times.