Sterling Bernard Leon Hines

On June 16, 1937, in Washington D.C. Roy and Ethel Lee Powell Hines gave birth to their firstborn Sterling Bernard Leon Hines at Gallinger Hospital. Sterling was known as Bernard by family and friends. Shortly after, his sister Patricia Hines was born, and because Roy and Ethel had so much love to share they adopted three children giving Bernard a brother; Anthony, and two additional sisters; Theresa and Nekeisha.

Bernard soon grew from childhood to manhood and out of his first marriage he fathered Karen Adrienne Hines. He then joined union with Helen Dawes Hines at the Upper Room Baptist Church located at 60 Burns Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019 under Pastor William Allen on June 23, 1974. Their marriage lasted some 48 years until Bernard passed on January 6, 2023.

To the joining of this union, Bernard gained two bonus children; Leon Dawes who precedes Bernard in death, and Tonia Dawes. Shortly after were born Sterling R. Hines and Kevin D. Hines.

Bernard had multiple jobs opportunities, he was a member of the Army Reserve, Police Reserve, Defense Mapping Servicer, and Truck Driver for Hess Company. Bernard then lastly went to work at WMA Transit Company, which was later bought out by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority then he retired his working career in 1996.

Being raised in a Christian home, Bernard was very active in the household of Faith. Growing up as a child, he attended Israel Metropolitan Christian Methodist Episcopal Church with his family. Bernard later joined Ebenezer African Methodist Church, located at 7707 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, Maryland, 20744. Once Bernard arrived at Ebenezer, he served in the Kingsman Music Choir as a Baritone/Bass. During the times he was not singing in the Choir, Bernard enjoyed fishing, gardening, photography, leather crafting, and watching his favorite team, the Washington Redskins. Many mornings Bernard enjoyed going to McDonald’s to enjoy breakfast with his friends and playing board games. He also enjoyed attending the Washington Car Show and the Bus Rodeo Show that used to take place in the DMV. A few other things Bernard enjoyed doing was spending time with his grandchildren with their activities, and taking trips to Baltimore, MD every year to get chitterlings with his son-in-law and grandson.

We celebrate a life well lived today, Bernard left to cherish wonderful memories with his wife Helen Hines, sister’s Patricia Petty (Alan – preceded in death), Theresa Elliott-Dupree, Nekeisha Clark, brother Anthony Bynum (Estelle), sister’s in-law Velner Dawes – preceded in death, Diane Sharpe Allen (Walter), brother’s in-law David Dawes (Brenda – preceded in death), Gary Dawes – preceded in death, Johnny Ray Sharpe – preceded in death, and Marvin Sharpe (Paulette). Children Leon Dawes – preceded in death, Karen Adrienne Hines Dudley (Ronnie), Tonia Dawes Clark (David), Sterling R. Hines (Nicole), Kevin D. Hines (LaShawn). Grandchildren Durrell A. Hines, Tiaira Minnis, Daria Minnis, Devin R. Hines, Destiny Minnis, Endia A. Hines, Vance D. Dudley, Makayla Hines, Nakia N. Hines, Monica Hines, Devontae Hines, Donovan Hines. Great-Grandchildren Nami Minnis, and Kennedy Berry. He also leaves behind a host of relatives and friends.