Ralph Hansford Hines

Ralph Hansford Hines of Natchitoches, Louisiana, peacefully passed on to the presence of his savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Through the Grace of the Almighty, all three of his sons were at his side in Shreveport, Louisiana, as he transitioned from this world into his eternal reward at 76 years old.

Ralph was born on February 6, 1948, in Many, Louisiana. His parents were the late Alice Walker Hines and Lonnie Jefferson Hines. He was the sixth of seven children born of their union.

Ralph graduated from Many High School in 1966. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches in 1970. After graduating from College, Ralph attended Seminary at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He then returned to Louisiana where he answered the call to preach and was ordained a Baptist minister at the First Baptist Church of Fort Jessup.

Not long after ordination Ralph joined the United States Air Force as a Chaplain. He served with distinction for more than a decade both in the United States and the Philippines, leaving active duty in 1988 and continuing to serve as a reserve Chaplain. He was called up to duty as a Chaplain during Operation Desert Storm, ministering to service members at Barksdale AFB before ultimately going to inactive status at the rank of Major and ultimate honorable discharge. In the years following his military service, Ralph enjoyed raising his children while serving as a pastor at several churches as well as working as a certified math teacher and a Chaplain at LSU Medical. Ralph had a servant heart and continued preaching and teaching, leaving a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to know him, up to his death.

Ralph was the loving father of three sons that he had the privilege to watch grow into fine men. His children Jason Hines and his wife Shauna of Harriman, Tennessee, Randall “Randy” Hines and wife Olivia of Converse, Louisiana, and Dustin Hines, also of Converse, went on to bless him with a new title- Pappaw. He found so much joy in his grandchildren, Konner with wife Gabriella, Nicholas, Colton, Jessica, Paisley, Kaitlyn, Victoria and Allie as well as Blaze and Ace, all of Tennessee; Mya, Lexy, Ashlyn, Axel and Mylee all of Louisiana and a great-grandchild William Grant of Tennessee.

In addition to his children and grandchildren, Ralph is survived by siblings, Marylin Stanley of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, Texas, L.J. Hines, Jr. (wife, Patsy) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Frank Hines (wife, Mina Gail) of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Jimmy Hines of Paris, Texas, Laureen Whitley (husband, Dave) of Yorba Linda, California, close nephew, Steven Hines of Natchitoches, Louisiana as well as a host of extended family and friends including numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; paternal grandparents, Lewis Lawerence Hines and wife, Ora Lavada Walker Hines; maternal grandparents, Carl Emil Anderson and wife, Laura Mead Anderson; and brother, Lewis Carl Hines.

The family will hold a memorial service on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at San Patricio Baptist Church located at 41 San Patricio Rd, Converse, LA 71419. The family invites those whose lives Ralph touched to join them in honoring and remembering Ralph Hines. Flowers may be delivered to the church on the day of service.