Aurica Kay Green was born in Des Moines, Iowa on March 7, 1959, and was called home to rest on June 26, 2022.  She was the third daughter of the late Dr. Joseph Walter Gaines and Zola Mae Gaines. She and her family moved to Portsmouth, Virginia in 1968.  Aurica graduated from Western Branch High School in 1977. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from Norfolk State University in 1981, where she was a member of the Spartan Legion Band and a co-founder of the Norfolk State Alumni Band.  She obtained two Master’s Degrees from Regent University and was on the Board of Advisory for several years. Aurica pledged and was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. At an early age, she had a great love for music and played the clarinet.  She began her teaching career in the Portsmouth Public School System, where her mother also worked. She then went on to teach math for forty years in the Chesapeake School System at Indian River Middle School.  Aurica was known for always trying new and innovative ways to explain math concepts to her students. She was passionate about finding ways to engage students in learning.  Aurica was named Teacher of the Year for the 2006-2007 school year and retired on June 1, 2022. Aurica’s love for being playful carried her through college and beyond.

Aurica loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with all her heart and loved God’s word. She was an incredibly strong Godly woman and a powerful Prayer Warrior who faithfully prayed for her family and friends. Her prayers would have an external impact on the many lives she touched. She worshiped and joyfully served at Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church “The Mount”, where she volunteered at various events and truly enjoyed tutoring children.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Byron Craig Gaines. Celebrating her cherished memories are her two daughters, Jasmine Lynn Hamilton and Adeja Monique Green; three sisters, Karma Gaines Ra, Euneece J. Durham and Grace L. Scott; one brother, Kevin R. Gaines (Cassandra); five nieces, Didiama Aliya Ra, JoVonne Barber, Rynika Lee, (Terance), DeShara Gaines and Kalynn Gaines; two nephews, Nahshon Ford and Byron Bussey (Meshel); great nieces and nephews, Dominic Barber, Daveon Barber, Christina Barber, DeMarco Barber, Adelai Bussey,  Adah Bussey, Gideon Bussey, Allona Bussey, Avri Bussey, Samson  Bussey and Silas Bussey; her one and only grandson, Zander M. Hamilton; and a host of other family and friends.