Erma Waddy Hines

By this measure, the prodigious gifts endowed by the Creator to Erma Waddy Hines have been returned in full when she entered eternal rest on May 19, 2026. Her impressive life of service - spanning some nine decades - resonated widely and indelibly within her spheres of influence as a leader in education and academic philanthropy, civic and arts endeavors, and her religious community.

A woman of natural elegance and presence, Erma Waddy was born on March 19, 1933, in Houston, Texas, to the union of Inez Juanita Brown Waddy and Herman Waddy Sr. Erma completed her elementary and high school education in the public school system of Houston.

A bright and highly motivated student, she received the first of her three degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in History, from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. Erma further matriculated at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she earned a Master of Arts in Drama. Her terminal degree, a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Address and Rhetoric was conferred by Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Erma’s considerable academic credentials launched her stellar career in higher education as a Professor of Speech and English, and Director of Theatre, at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Houston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas (1958); Prairie View A&M College in Prairie View, Texas (1959-1964); and Southern University and A&M College (1972-2017).

At each of these institutions, her rigorous approach and adherence to the highest standards of presentation in speech and related protocols provided excellent preparation for success beyond the classroom. One of her former students at Southern University, who ascended to state and national political office, credits Dr. Hines with strategic assistance in polishing his communication skills. For others, her creative guidance ignited a passion and appreciation for the arts, primarily speech and theater, that enhanced their own talents.

In 1964, Professor Erma Waddy married James E. Hines, Jr., M.D., a physician in Alexandria, Louisiana. The couple embarked on a life partnership that lasted more than three decades until his passing in 1995. They were parents of one son, Warren Antony, who was the light of their lives.

Erma served as Executive Director of the Community Action Program of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, until the family relocated to Baton Rouge in 1972, when Erma accepted a position at Southern University and A&M College.

Erma’s 45-year tenure at Southern University was consequential in her faculty accomplishments, where she developed and refined curricula, and held subsequent positions with University-wide impact. She was a Full Professor and later Chair of the Speech and Theater Department; Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities; and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Institutional Advancement.

In the latter capacity, Erma provided seminal leadership for Southern University’s fund-raising campaigns through endowments, foundations, and other developmental strategies. Her work as Excellence Director of the reactivated Southern University System Foundation generated unprecedented levels of giving from a nationwide pool of private and public sector of donors.

For these efforts, Erma received a Distinguished Director’s Award.

Service was also at the core of Erma’s extensive network of social, civic, professional and arts-related affiliations, for which she was variously honored. Her expertise in parliamentary procedures was highly coveted in her organizational work, as well as her enduring commitment to make a positive difference.

Erma was a Charter Member, Second Chapter President, and an active Platinum member of The Links, Incorporated, La Capitale (LA) Chapter. She generously supported the Links’ community, regional and national programs, including appointments to national committees, and her service as Southern Area Director of Arts and Chair of the Southern Area Protocol Committee.

Erma was a Diamond Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, initiated in Chi Chapter (1951); elected to the office of Editor-in-Chief of the Ivy Leaf Magazine (1966-1970); President of the Prairie View, Texas, and Alexandria Chapters; and Chair of several National and Regional Committees. She was the organizer and first President of the Alexandria Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, for which she was also elected to the offices of South Central Regional Secretary-Treasurer, South Central Regional Director, and National Treasurer.

Other affiliations included the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, where she was a Paul Harris Fellow; National Society for Fund Raising Executives; Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge; President of the Louisiana State and East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Association Auxiliaries; Board of Cancer Services of Baton Rouge; Board of Big Buddy Program; and the Greater Baton Rouge Pan-Hellenic Council, among other organizations that reflected her broad personal and professional interests.

But the sustaining force in Erma’s life was her faith. When she was confirmed as an Episcopalian in 1959, after her early Baptist roots, she fully embraced and was devoted to the church. In Baton Rouge, she was an active member of St. Michael's and All Angels, where she held various leadership positions, including Church Administrator, Lay Eucharistic Minister, and Senior Warden for more than twenty years.

Erma became active with the Episcopal Dioceses of Louisiana and was elected to the Advisory Council, serving the 10th Bishop, The Right Reverend Charles Jenkins. She also served as a delegate to Diocesan Conventions.

When membership was transferred to St. Alban's Episcopal Church on the campus of Louisiana State University, she found a new and welcoming home. She was a member of the Altar Guild, a Lector, and co-director for “Passion Play” presentations, while using her philanthropic experience to support St. Alban’s Legacy Campaign, C. S. Lewis Student Lunches, and Emergency Financial Support for LSU students of African ancestry.

To those who knew her best, Erma Waddy Hines will be remembered as an extraordinary woman who seamlessly navigated a very full life with uncommon grace. Always beautifully dressed, she crowned her tasteful attire with one of her carefully curated collection of hats, each of which conveyed a special message. She was also an engaging companion who enjoyed playing bridge and piano, and earlier took up tennis amid her busy schedule.

Her greatest fulfillment came from her relationships with those she loved and who returned that love in full measure - her extended family of the heart. As she maximized her divine gift of more than nine decades of life - amid a period of great societal and generational change - she had indeed repaid the Creator by the enormity of her contributions.

Erma Waddy Hines is preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Hines, Jr., M.D.; son, Warren Antony Hines; parents, Inez Juanita Brown Waddy and Herman Waddy, Sr.; brother, Herman Waddy, Jr.; sister-in-law, Gladys Waddy; brother-in-law, Milton Johnson, maternal grandparents, The Reverend & Mrs. C. H. Brown; paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Waddy; nephew, Heron Waddy; and aunts and uncles, including Mrs. Janie D. Banks, a favorite aunt and second mother, and three special sisters from God – Dr. Kathryn N. Jordan,

Dr. Julia B. Purnell, Mrs. Arminta B. Bolden, and special son from God, Dr. Oscar Williams.

She leaves to cherish her memory: sister Roberta Waddy Johnson, Compton, CA; brother, Douglas Parker, Baytown, TX; goddaughters, Sandra Ballentine Smith and Rochelle Ballentine Machen (James), both of Baton Rouge; extended family members: Emma Jackson and Tamika L. Jackson, Wilmington, NC; special children from God - Mrs. Theta Williams, Baton Rouge and Mrs. Karen Grays-Gray, Houston, Texas; special sister, Maxine Sarpy, Shreveport; treasured guardians, Attorney and Mrs. Gerard N. Torry (Clovier), Baton Rouge; “circle of invaluable angels” -Leah Cullins, Phyllis White, Attorney and Mrs. Timothy Hardy (Stacia), and Johnny Anderson, all of Baton Rouge; special sorors and friends of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated; The Links, Incorporated; and countless devoted friends, former students and colleagues, arts advocates, and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, Erma Waddy Hines respectfully requests that donations, for those that choose to do so, be made to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church to the Dr. Erma Waddy Hines Memorial Fund earmarked for financial assistance to LSU students of African ancestry.

Visitation will be at St. Alban's Chapel, 3825 Dalrymple Dr., Baton Rouge, LA, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 9am until the time of the funeral service at 11am. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park.