Irma Hollis Weaver passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023 after a brief illness and hospitalization. 

She was born on August 7th, 1942 in Greenville, Mississippi to the late Luella Howard and Douglas Hollis.  Irma was truly a miracle baby. Douglas was previously married and his wife died in childbirth when Irma's older sister Carrie Lee was born.  On December 25th, 1927, Douglas married Luella who spent 15 years trying every root and herb available in order to conceive. When Luella finally got pregnant and Irma was born, her birth was celebrated far and wide. A few years later, her precious baby brother Douglas Jr. was born and the family was complete.

Irma was a member of the Mt. Araret Baptist Church and was baptized in the Mississippi River, by the levee at Lake Ferguson.  She started school in a one-room schoolhouse taught by Ms. Rosie Joor, an incredible teacher who left an indelible mark on countless kids in Greenville. She then attended Coleman High School and graduated with the Class of 1959 where she made lifelong friends.

After graduating from high school, Irma attended Jackson State University, an Historically Black College & University (HBCU) in Jackson, Mississippi and planned to major in mathematics. However, her parents struggled to pay her tuition and she returned to Greenville after just one year in college. Sitting at home that first week of summer, she was thumbing through a magazine and saw an advertisement in the back to be a nanny in New York City. She responded via mail, got a reply back the week later and then packed a bag and boarded a Greyhound bus headed to Port Authority in the Big Apple at 17 years old in 1960.

She didn't know a single soul in New York but by the grace of God, the job was real and she quickly adjusted to life in the big city. She eventually got another job working at the New York City Public Library on 42nd Street and then her mother and both her father and brother joined her in New York. Irma left the library in 1966 and started working in the accounting department at CBS Television and Radio. During this time, she met John Weaver Sr. and they were married in 1967. To this union, two children, John Frederick Weaver Jr. and Alison Janine Weaver were born.  

After the births of her children, she decided to return to school and finish her studies. She graduated from Herbert H. Lehman College in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Science degree in Education from Baruch College in 1979 and another Master of Science degree in Education in 1987. Additionally, in 1985, she was initiated into Phi Delta Kappa, a  professional education association and honor society. 

While pursuing her own education, Irma discovered her passion for teaching others and became a devoted public school teacher. She educated many generations of New Yorkers and spent 25 years teaching at the Grace Dodge Vocational High School in the Bronx. 

In addition to teaching and raising her own children, Irma was very active in the community. She became a life member of the The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. and served in many capacities, including as the Treasurer of the New York City chapter.

One day, after her kids had grown up, Irma was shopping in the local supermarket and a handsome man struck up a conversation. This led to Irma rediscovering love, taking a trip to the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas and getting married to Raymond Prattis, a dedicated New York City police officer, who predeceased her in death.

After retiring, this humble little country girl from Mississippi,  who grew up in the segregated South during the Jim Crow era, discovered another passion for international cultures and cuisine. She travelled the world and visited a multitude of countries on five continents, including Ghana, Egypt, Zimbabwe, South Africa, China, England, France, Italy, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico and Canada. When she wasn't travelling, she spent her time showering tons of love and joy on her precious grandchildren, who were the pride of her heart.

Irma is survived by her brother, Douglas Hollis Jr. (Charlene), her daughter Alison (Keith), her son John Weaver Jr. (Karen) and her ex-husband, John Weaver. Additionally, Irma is beloved by seven grandchildren (Adia Grace Weaver, Shervah Walker, Mikai Walker, John Weaver III, Khristian Walker, Aidan Walker and Kole Walker), three nephews (Brian, Eric and Charles) and a host of cousins, relatives and dear friends.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/irma-weaver/obituary/

Copy