Lady Ivy M. Rhinehart

Ivy Maria Rhinehart, a devoted and virtuous wife, a blessed mother and grandmother, a beloved daughter, sister, friend and the First Lady of the Solid Rock Full Gospel Baptist Church Ministries International, transitioned to her heavenly home on June 4, 2021, after a courageously battling numerous health challenges. She was surrounded by the love of her husband, children, mother, and siblings as she departed this life to be with the Lord.

Ivy affectionally known as “Sugar Girl” was born on December 17, 1962, in Washington, DC, to the late William Ivory Hawkins. and Theresa Elizabeth “Jackson” Hawkins.

Ivy, grew up in Washington, D.C., where she attended public school (Gage Elementary, Stuart Middle and Dunbar High). She and her family worshipped at Peace Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. where she sang in the choir and served as a junior usher. Influenced by her family members, Ivy’s mother, Theresa, began to visit and attend several worship services at Solid Rock Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Nehemiah Rhinehart, Sr., where she received a deeper relationship with the Lord and wanted her family to have the same worship experience. As a member of Solid Rock, Theresa’s love and relationship with Christ deepened and transcended to her children as she raised them to honor and serve the Lord.

And serve the Lord she did! Ivy thrived at Solid Rock. As she grew spiritually, she made sure to do her work! As a young girl, Ivy sang in the choir, served as an usher, served on the Street Ministry passing out tracks, and worshipped in the all-night shut-ins. Ivy found her purpose and place in life through her relationship with God. Ivy’s commitment to ministry and service rooted and grounded her as she and her mother moved to Columbia, SC to start a new ministry for the Lord.

In South Carolina, Ivy finished high school at Lower Richland High School. During this time, under the leadership of the late Bishop Nehemiah Rhinehart, Sr., the late Pastor Ollie Cochran, her mother, Minister Theresa Hawkins and grandmother, the late Minister Estelle Weldon, and about 15 faithful members gathered and worshipped at her grandmother’s home. After a few months of operations, they officially dedicated the ministry as the Solid Rock Full Gospel Baptist Church No. 4.

Ivy’s virtue and fidelity to the body of Christ was encompassed by her belief in His Word: Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT). With the Word in her heart, she was used in many ways at Solid Rock N.4, as a choir director, member of the usher board, Sunday School teacher and weekly Bible Study teacher. She also served as the bookkeeper, secretary, and van driver.

After their time in South Carolina, Ivy and her family relocated to Buffalo, New York where Ivy pursued and received an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Bryant & Stratton College. While in Buffalo, she attended Zion Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of her cousin, the late Rev. Dr. Robert E. Baines, Sr., and Antioch Holiness Church, under the leadership of the late Elder Morris L. Bowman, Sr., where her light continued to shine as she naturally fell into position awaiting the Lord’s next assignment for her life.

Under the notion that she would need to return to Washington, D.C. to help her sister Olivia Myles as a nanny, Ivy moved back to the area; however, unbeknownst to her, the Lord was orchestrating the beginning of the biggest role, she would ever play.

Ivy rejoined the Solid Rock Headquarters Church upon her return where, while doing her service and work within the church, she and her childhood sweetheart, Gregory Ivan Rhinehart, decided that this was the perfect time to join in LOVE, FUN and SERVICE TOGETHER. Ivy and Greg met at ten and eleven years old when Ivy and her family initially connected with Solid Rock ministries. Even then – at 11 years old – Gregory knew in his heart that one day Ivy would be his perfectly designed helpmate.

Gregory’s confidence was affirmed by Ivy’s acceptance of his “puppy love” request to be his girlfriend (you know – yes, no or maybe?). Greg and Ivy became inseparable as boyfriend and girlfriend as children to preteen and to teenage years. On September 10, 1982, Gregory and Ivy joined in Holy Matrimony. This was the beginning of a life together as God-centered couple.

Their loving union bore five children: Renea Katrice, Robin Nicole, Brandi Marie, Brianna Monica and Gregory Ivan II. As a mother, she lovingly and affectionately nurtured all her children in the ways of the Lord, consistently teaching them life lessons that there is unity and strength in numbers.

Lady Ivy’s will for service and doing the work extended beyond the church community and her family. The same passion that grounded and pushed her in her spiritual life led her to a successful career spanning 30 plus years as a Senior Health Administrator/Manager, providing overall management in the Healthcare Industry. Her career began with Dr. Audrey M. Connor, MD, a well-known Allergist, as the office manager of her private practice (1986-1998). Ivy, then worked from home as she cared for her two smallest children and a slew of other children as their at-home teacher. As her youngest child transitioned to kindergarten, Ivy decided her next assignment was to fully rejoin the workforce at Gastrointestinal Associates (2002 – 2009) and transitioned as a Practice Manager at GI Consultants of DC (2009 – 2019). Ivy was dedicated and committed to her work, she maintained employment at MedStar GI Consultants at MWHC until April 1, 2021. Lady Ivy’s work included the day-to-day decisions in managing staff, finances, patient care, and directing activities in specific clinical areas. Over the years, she received many accolades from her superiors at MedStar Health.

Lady Ivy was an integral part of the Solid Rock General Conference where she faithfully served as the Executive assistant to Executive Manager of the conference. She also worked tirelessly as the Registration Manager of the conference to ensure the fiscal accountability of expenses.

In 2015, her husband became the Senior Pastor of Solid Rock Full Gospel Baptist Church Ministries International, at which time she became the First Lady of the church. As First Lady, Ivy knew that this next assignment would continue to require her to be a woman after the heart of God. She aimed to pour into the lives of others and impart what God had given to her. She ministered greatly to the hurting women and the youth. She had a deep love for the people of God especially the seniors and the youth. Her desire was to see them grow in God and fulfill the purpose and plans that Gd had for their lives. Even when she became ill, she remained an encouragement to those who sought encouragement from her. Her spirit remained strong; she stayed in the battle; she fought a good fight; she kept the faith; and she finished her course.

Lady Ivy is preceded in death by her loving grandparents, Charles and Estelle Weldon; her father, William Ivory Hawkins and uncles and aunts. She is also preceded in death by her tow elder brother: Kenneth Flonney and Sylvester Edwin Hawkins.

Lady Ivy will be truly missed by her loving family, the Solid Rock Church family and all those whose lives she touched. She is survived by her loving husband, Gregory, her daughters: Renea (Larry), Robin, Brandi (Darius), Brianna; her son, SGT Gregory II; eleven grandchildren: Dejah Renea Rhinehart, Danielle Nicole Rhinehart, Diel Michael Rhinehart, Steve McQueen Jr., Ivan Darnell Vaughn, Landon Micah Bradley, Olivia Grace Vaughn, Wesley Ivan Rhinehart, Ever Alexander Vaughn, Nasir Ivory Nelson, and Willow Ivy Rhinehart; her loving mother, Minister Theresa Hawkins (Buffalo, NY); two sisters: Olivia (Richard), Princess Ann; three brothers: William Linell (Bowie, MD), Brian Melvin (Buffalo, NY) and Stephen Lamont (Largo, MD); aunts: Regina (Gregory) Morris, Annie Lee Wikins (Hampton, VA; uncle, Frederick (Annmarie) Jackson (Washington, D.C.); in-laws: Curtis (Theodosia) Rhinehart, Brenda (Anthony) Rich, Paul (Chris) Rhinehart, and Twanda (Michael) all from Maryland; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.