FEBRUARY 8, 1935 – OCTOBER 10, 2026
In the Care of Laird Funeral Home
Funeral service for Melva Lee Christopher Hines, 91, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. John Withem officiating. Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Melva Lee Christopher Hines passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2026, leaving this earthly life to join with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Melva was the daughter of William T and Mae Parrott Christopher. She and James M. Hines were married on July 2, 1953, sharing 46 years of life together and traveling the world. Melva settled back in Nacogdoches so the girls could finish high school. Diana, Belinda and Jamie were each graduates of Stephen F. Austin State University and Becky was a graduate of Angelina College School of Nursing.
Melva started college at the University of Georgia and completed her BBA at Stephen F. Austin State University. When she moved back to Nacogdoches, her work experience began at the Stephen F. Austin Library and then she became the Circulation Department Head. The next 7 years were spent at the Sterne-Hoya House where she worked hard to bring about the restoration of the historic house. She also served as the secretary/treasurer of Friends of the Adolphus Sterne Home, was a founding member of the Pilot Club of Nacogdoches, serving a term as President and a member of Business and Professional Women’s Club, as well as other organizations.
The next 27 years were spent as a financial advisor and stockbroker with Waddell & Reed until she retired in 2011. This was the most rewarding time in her professional life. She thoroughly enjoyed working with “her people” who all became good friends to her. After retirement, Melva substituted in the classrooms of Nacogdoches ISD for 3 years until the age of 83.
Melva is survived by her daughters, Belinda Lee Rankin & husband Charles, Jamie Lynn Cooper & husband Josh, and Rebecca Kay “Becky” Armstrong & husband Don; grandchildren, Katie Haney Stallings & husband Drew, James Johnson, PhD & wife Nikki, Jennifer Rankin Davison & husband Mitchell, Christopher Rankin and Captain Benjamin Graham & wife Hallie and great grandchildren, Abigail Davison, Eleanor Graham, Zoey Davison, Brock Johnson, Benjamin Graham Jr, Grayson Davison and Joan Graham.
She is preceded in death by her husband James Maxie Hines; daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Archie Haney; parents William T. and Mae Christopher and her siblings, Marvis Cochran & husband Jimmy and Mavis Hancock & husband Chuck.
Special thanks to Dr. LaBarbera for caring for our mom. Harbor Hospice was spectacular in service including Brittany, RN, and Kirby, CNA, of which we are friends for life.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Nacogdoches Heartbeat Pregnancy Center can be made to benefit stocking the shelves.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melva Lee (Christopher) Hines, please visit Laird Funeral Home’s floral store.