Danny Ray Hines

Danny Ray Hines
GREENVILLE - Dr. Danny Ray Hines passed away on August 22, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Earle Tucker Hines; his daughter, Reverend Amanda Hines of Greenville; his daughter Laura Tan (Dan) of San Diego, California; two sisters, Kathy Snead of Wilmington, NC, and Virginia O'Quinn of Myrtle Beach, SC; and six grandchildren, whom he loved and adored.
Danny was born in Rocky Mount, NC to William A. Hines and Audrey Gay Hines on October 4, 1947. When he was five years old, his family moved to Grifton, NC which became his childhood home. He graduated from Grifton High School and continued his studies at East Carolina University, majoring in accounting and becoming a Certified Public Accountant.
After his graduation, Danny and Earle were married on June 7, 1969 and embarked to Gator Country. The University of Florida welcomed Danny into their Ph.D. program, where his teaching career began as a graduate teaching assistant. Upon completion of his coursework, Dr. Jim Bearden, Dean of the School of Business at ECU, invited Danny back to Greenville as a member of the faculty. When his dissertation was finished and his Ph.D. awarded, Danny was appointed chair of the accounting and finance departments. Danny was instrumental in the development of a nationally recognized accounting program. After many years serving as chair of the accounting department, Danny stepped back into the role as a professor so he could focus on his students. Throughout his career, he was awarded numerous teaching awards by East Carolina University, as well as the prestigious Outstanding Educator Award by the North Carolina Association of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs, given to a professor who has made significant contributions to accounting education and in the professional field of accounting.
Throughout his time at ECU, he was determined that his students would pass the auditing portion of the CPA exam. Sharing his passion for auditing, he told his students "Make it yours." At one ECU graduation ceremony, his students displayed a huge banner which stretched across Ficklin Stadium reading, "Thanks, Dr. Danny. It's Ours." Many CPAs in North Carolina credit him for helping them make the knowledge theirs, setting them up for success in their careers. Danny retired as a professor emeritus.
After thirty years as a professor, Danny followed his heart and shifted his vocation to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Having been very active at First Christian Church, Greenville, as a deacon, elder, treasurer, and chair of the board, he followed the call to become a licensed minister. He served as minister of Macclesfield Christian Church for eleven years.
His professional roles served many people, but his roles as husband, father, and grandfather were always first in his heart. When he returned to the classroom, it was to follow his passion for teaching but also to spend more time with family. Together, they started Tucker Hines Christmas Tree Farm in Ayden. The whole family was involved. He worked alongside his brother-in-law, Bill Tucker, to do the routine farm maintenance and tree grooming. He and Earle also cared for his mother-in-law, Ruth Tucker, until her passing in 2012.
Danny enjoyed having a well-groomed yard and spending time in his garden. He also enjoyed spending time in his workshop with a piece of wood in his hands. His woodworking hobbies included furniture making, clock making, and turning vases. After studying and researching a wildfowl or other subject, he would take a piece of wood in his creative hands and transform it into a duck, bird, or other figure. Making fountain pens to sell and give as gifts was another creative pursuit.
Danny's family will celebrate his life in solitude with each other as they quietly release him to God's eternal love and surrender him to his heavenly home.