Robert Hines

Robert Vernon "Bobby" Hines, 60, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in Jackson, Mississippi. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 26 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence, MS. The family will also receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chancellor Funeral Home Chapel, with a graveside service to follow at the Florence Cemetery.\ \ Bobby was born on September 17, 1951 in Jackson, MS. He graduated in 1969 from Florence High School, where he lettered in baseball and basketball. Bobby attended Delta State College, where he was on the freshman basketball team, and the Research and Development Center before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1977 from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was a Dean's List and President's List Scholar. \ \ After graduation, Bobby held various positions related to physical education, including stints at Richland Elementary School in Richland, MS, Jefferson Middle School in Columbia, MS, Jackson Metropolitan Boy's Clubs- Camp John I. Hay in Jackson, MS, and the MS Department of Youth Services-Oakley Training School in Raymond, MS. Bobby was employed by the United States Postal Service in Jackson, MS as a Group Leader Mail Handler from April 1985 until his retirement in September 2010. \ \ Besides spending time with his family, Bobby enjoyed caring for his cats and dogs and cheering on his USM Golden Eagles sports teams. His great passion, and lasting legacy, was the time he spent helping young people develop their athletic skills. He coached Minor League Baseball, Little League Baseball, and Babe Ruth League Baseball in Richland, MS from 1967 to 1978, served as a track and field judge and first aid volunteer for the Special Olympics in Hattiesburg, MS in 1976 and 1977, coached an elementary football team for Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation in 1977, and coached the sixth grade girls basketball team at Hillcrest Christian School in Jackson, MS from 1996 to 1997. After a break from coaching, Bobby coached a Babe Ruth League Baseball team in Florence from 2004 to 2006 with one of his former Little League players. Among the team members were several sons of former players on Bobby's Richland teams. "Coach Bobby" derived great pleasure from his interactions with young athletes, and from playing sports himself. The sheer joy on his face when he was at the ball field or on the basketball court was infectious and inspired others to do their best. It is a testament to his impact on his players that many refer to him as "the greatest coach I ever had." Bobby touched innumerable lives during his time on earth. Though he will be sorely missed, his family and friends rejoice that he is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. \ \ Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Robert Earl Hines. He is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca ‘Becky" Singletary Hines of Florence; dear mother Webbie Shows Hines of Richland; daughters by marriage Adrienne Rainer (Eric), Jennifer Mitchell (Corey), and Elizabeth Dickson, all of Florence; sisters Nan Kitchens (Joe) of Sevierville, TN and Tina Hines of Richland; grandchildren Leyton and Chloe Rainer and Olivia Mitchell, all of Florence; uncle B.J. Shows of Eagle Lake, MS; aunts Lavina Stanford (Benny) of Sumrall, MS; Sara Stalls of Tarboro, NC; Mildred Shows of Jackson, MS; and Ruth Dement of Tallulah, LA; and numerous cousins.\ \ Memorials may be made to the Mississippi Animal Rescue League, 5221 Greenway Drive, Jackson, MS. \