Thomas Hines, Sr.

Thomas (Bobby) Hines was born in Detroit,
MI to Ruth Thomasine Hines on August 20th,
1946. His mother, Ruth, and his siblings
Henrietta, Ross (Melvin), Clara (Elaine), and
Wilbur all preceded him in death. Although he
did not have a middle name, Thomas was
affectionately called “Bobby” by his family.

Thomas grew up attending Detroit Public
Schools and graduated from Northwestern
High School in 1965. In 1964, he met Sharon Bellman who would
become the love of his life and bear six children with him. They
were married for 47 years before Sharon preceded him in death.

Thomas supported his family by working for the
General Motors (GM) Corporation at various
plants throughout Michigan and Indiana until
he retired in 2006 after 38 years. He was also a
certified Master Mechanic.

Thomas gave his life to Christ at Franklin
Road Church of Christ in December
of 1971. Thomas was so hungry in his
thirst for the Lord that, early on, he
attended Bible classes three times a week:
Tuesdays at Franklin Road, Wednesdays at
Northwest, and Thursdays at Westside.

After attending Franklin Road for a short time, Thomas and family
placed membership at Westside Church of Christ in March of
1972. To accommodate the growth of members at Westside, the
Northwest Church of Christ building was built. Thomas and family,
led by the late Elder John R. Flowers, moved their membership
to Northwest in 1974. Thomas counted Bro. Flowers among his
mentors, which also included the Northwest Elders Scott French,
John Phillips, and Vernon Boyd; his International School of
Evangelism instructors John Belasco, Glen Martin, and Clifford
Tucker; and his mother Ruth and his grandmother Lela Marie
Attles.

At Northwest, Thomas served in various positions to further
the work of the Lord, including occasional Preacher, Youth
Leader, Bible School Teacher, Deacon, and Elder before moving
membership to Vinewood Church of Christ where he served
as minister from 1998 to 2013. Thomas most recently attended
services at Linwood Church of Christ where he occasionally
preached and taught class, as well. Over the years, he preached at
many Churches of Christ throughout the Metro Detroit area.

Thomas loved music, movies, games like dominoes and Chinese
checkers, cake baking and decorating, dressing up in stylish suit
ensembles, helping and ministering to others, and most of all
spending time with his family. He could often be found in the
house whistling a song as the smell of freshly baked cake wafted
through the air, while he iced and decorated the cake. He made
and decorated three of his daughter’s wedding cakes and officiated
two of his daughter’s weddings after walking them down the aisle.
He made and decorated countless birthday and celebration cakes
throughout the years for family and many others.

Thomas leaves to mourn his passing his six children: Marie
(Anthony preceded in death) Gibson, Crystal (Phillip) Gibbons,
Kimberly (Clyde) R. Mayberry, Thomas Jr., Ursula, and Nicole.
He also leaves eight grandchildren: Antoinette, Antoine, and
André Gibson; Durell, Nala, and Kimberly I. Mayberry; Sabrina
and Charisse Gibbons; and one great-granddaughter, Synclaire
Mayberry. Additionally, he leaves one sister-in-law, Clara, and a
host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and brothers and sisters
in Christ.