The Reverend Doctor
Benjamin Gee Hines
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February 13, 1927 - August 28, 2015
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The Reverend Doctor Benjamin Gee Hines, 88, of Bentonville, AR
passed away Friday, August 28, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Rogers
surrounded by his family. He was born February 13, 1927 in
Smackover, AR to Carl Benjamin Hines and Cleo Gee Hines.
Ben married Maxine McCauley on August 31, 1947. They met in college
at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR and he was
immediately smitten. They were cheerleaders together before WWII
took him over seas. Having survived being separated by the Army—and
one ‘Dear John’ letter—they married their senior year.
After a short career of teaching, coaching Jr. High football, and being
appointed the youngest High School Principal in Camden, AR, Ben
ventured on to be on staff at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
It was there he discovered God had other plans for him. So he, Maxine,
Susan age 5 and David age 2 ½ packed up the car and headed for Perkins
school of Theology on the SMU Campus in Dallas TX. In 1961 Ben
received his 2nd Master’s Degree—this one a Masters of Divinity.
In Ministry, he served as Sr. Pastor in United Methodist Churches across
Arkansas in Camden, Little Rock, West Memphis, Forrest City District
Superintendent, Bentonville, Fort Smith and Rogers. While living in
Dallas he was on staff at Highland Park United Methodist Church. He
served for 40 plus years in the ministry as Pastor and Superintendent.
During his years in the ministry Ben served on the Board of Trustees for
Methodist Hospital in Memphis TN and the Board of Trustees for
Hendrix College in Conway, AR. In the United Methodist Church he
was a board member for the NW Arkansas Conference of Finance and
Administration and Chair of the NW Arkansas Nominating Committee.
Locally, he was a member of the Community Leadership Team to
establish NWACC and a member of Rotary Club.
In 1992 Ben and Maxine retired to Bentonville in their first ever home
that was not a parsonage but their ministry continued even in retirement.
He served as the Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in
Bentonville and later as Pastor Emeritus.
He was preceded in death by Maxine on June 22nd of this year after 68
years of marriage. And as one friend wrote, ‘Their love affair now
continues’.
Ben is survived by one son, David Gee Hines and wife, Susan of
Edmond OK; one daughter, Susan Kennedy and husband Pat of
Bentonville; four grandchildren, Ben Bogle and wife, Sarah of
Sandestin, FL, Erin Easley and husband, Jason of Gravette, AR, Scott
Hines of Oklahoma City, OK, Megan Gaines and husband, Zac of
Edmond, OK; six great-grandchildren, Halie Easley, Brittney Easle,
Lukas Easley, Harper Gaines, Tatum Gaines, Annie Gaines; and one
sister, Carolyn Rix of Hot Springs, AR.
Pallbearers are members of the Masculine Journey Sunday School Class:
Tim Summers, Ted Viala, Bruce Safreed, Rodger Dickinson, Ed Adair,
Garry Carroll, Mel Redman, David Torres, Jimmy Wright, Greg Fogle,
David Hudgins, Brad Anderson, Johnny Haney, Doug Speight and
Roger Thomas.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00PM, Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at
Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers.
Funeral services will be at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, September 2, 2015
at First United Methodist Church in Bentonville with the Rev. Dr. Kurt
Boggan and the Rev. Rex Dickey officiating. Burial will follow in
Bentonville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Bentonville First United Methodist Church,
201 Northwest 2nd Street, Bentonville, AR 72712 or to Havenwood,
808 North Main Street, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Condolences
We send our deepest sympathy to the family. We so loved our time with
Ben and Maxine at FUMC Bentonville, and across the years in ministry.
God bless. Guy and Loretta Whitney
My thoughts & prayers are with your family. I attended FUMC in
Fort Smith when he was minister there. What a Wonderful Christian man
he was!I keep you in my prayers. Lorraine & Bradford Randall
THE MOST REVEREND BEN HINES
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL. WE ARE
HOLDING ON TO ALL OF OUR MEMORIES AND WILL CHERISH
THRM JUST AS WE CHERISH THE ONES WE SHARE OF OUR
PARENTS.
SINCERELY, MIKE AND NANCY & SISSY MCQUARY
DOUGHERTY
Cousins Ben and SuSu. . . .so sorry to read of your Dad's passing. Stan
and I lost our Dad this past Jan and we will forever have a
hole in our heart . . .Your Dad was one fine man, enjoy those wonderful
memories as time dulls the pain of loss. Bob Denman, Jr
David & "SuSu" . . .
My brother Dick and I were saddened to learn first of your wonderful
mom's - and now your dad's - passing. Your family's tenure in
Mabelvale is a chapter in our lives that left an indelible imprint on our
family. How fortunate we were that your dad's pastorate of Mabelvale
United Methodist Church coincided so beautifully with our "growing up
years" and anchored so many of us in faith at an impressionable age.
And how beautifully the whole family integrated into the church
community. Our "good fortune" continued as your dad was still
pastoring at Mabelvale and officiated at both our weddings, and when
our mother passed away in 1992, we knew she would "accept none
other" than Ben Hines to conduct her service - and what a beautiful job
of reminiscing he did!
Know how fondly your family is esteemed and remembered still by so
many Mabelvale parishioners - and how joyful the reunion with those
parishioners joining in the welcoming of your dad and his "Maxine" as
they were rewarded for lives of abundant faith, commitment, and service!
Janis Morehart Morrow
Our Sincere condolences to Ben's family. He was the best World
History high school teacher I could have. Brought the subject to life and
made learning fun. He never forgot all us past students and was a friend
need forgotten through the years and across the miles.
Sheila & Jim Newton
Copyright 2015 Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services, 2898 West Walnut, Rogers, Arkansas 72756 479-631-1353
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