Mrs. Irma Jane Kincy Laney, 84, resident of Durham, NC passed on January 28, 2021 at Pruitt Health Nursing Home.

A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 12 Noon at Glennview Memorial Park.

Irma Jane Kincy Laney was born on November 23, 1936 in Durham, North Carolina to Annie Lee Borland Kincy Banks and Leondras Kincy, Sr. She was the third oldest of 13 children. She attended Durham City Schools, graduating from Hillside High School in 1956. She later attended Watts School of Nursing and Durham Technical Institute, where she received her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1980. She worked on the Duke Pediatric Surgical ward from 1980 until her retirement in 1995 as a MLPN. Post retirement, Irma worked as a nanny for two families until her health declined. She was an eager helper who loved her family and her church. Baptized and becoming a member of West Durham Baptist at the age of eight, she loved to sing and was in the choir before she was old enough, as there was no children’s choir at that time. She enjoyed singing in many of the choirs, and participated in the choir’s album recording; many remember her leading the song, “Tramping” in the choir.

She married James Earl “Tooloo” Laney in October of 1980, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by siblings Annie Louise, Charles Henry, Pauline, Leroy and James. Irma personified unconditional love to all who came in contact with her. She was a good cook, known for her pineapple cake, biscuits and sweet potato pie; oftentimes if you showed up, a filling meal would often be extended to you. She was always willing to help others and her door was always open to her family. Many of her siblings and their children lived with her throughout the years and saw her as their second mother. Irma was the family historian and a fan of family. She could always tell the best family stories. She coordinated family reunions until her health began to decline and was often her immediate family’s connection to the larger extended family.

This beautiful soul will forever be cherished by her family: daughters, Janice Williams (Nathaniel), Beverly Kincy (Anthony Horne) and her son, Greggory Kincy (Lisa) all of Durham; her siblings, Leondras Kincy, Jr. of Texas, Rachel Baldwin, Charlene Thomas (Clyde), Thomas (Mary), Berle (Linda), and Earle (Thelma) Kincy of Durham. Irma is the grandmother of 11, Great-Grandmother of 29 and Great-Great Grandmother of two and a host of other relatives and dear friends. She will truly be missed, but we know that she is no longer in pain and has been reunited with those who have gone on before her. We rest in our belief that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. May the work she’s done speak for her.