Rev. Dr. Lee Curtis Bines

Rev. Dr. Lee Curtis Bines of 192 Longsight Lane, Rock Hill, SC, passed away Monday, July 1, 2024, at Piedmont Medical Center.

Rev. Dr. Bines was born July 1, 1948, in Bennettsville, SC to the late Abraham Bines, Sr. and Julia Mae Rose Bines. Lee attended Marlboro County schools for grade school. He graduated with Highest Honors from Eastside High School in Bennettsville, SC. He was an accomplished orator and won first place in many oratorical contests. After graduating, Lee continued his education at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, and he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Music Education. While at Claflin University, Lee pledged the Delta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Lee demonstrated love and respect for his fraternity throughout the years and is a proud Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  At Claflin, Lee studied to be a Band Director and studied Music Performance. Lee was a celebrated and dynamic Drum Major at Claflin University. After graduating from Claflin University, Lee received a Master of Divinity Degree for Gammon Theological Center. Upon graduating, Lee pastored at the Camden, SC charge for several years at St. Paul United Methodist Church. After a few years, Lee decided to further his education. He was accepted to Drew University in Madison, NJ. While there, he received a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Ethics and Theology. Upon graduating from Drew University, Lee and his family relocated to Rock Hill, SC. While there, Lee was the Pastor for several United Methodist Churches. They are: Mt. Olive, New Hope, Harmony, and Bethel United Methodist Churches. In addition to being an United Methodist Elder Pastor, Lee served on the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the Born Free Stay Free Committee, the Columbia College Board of Visitors, the Columbia College Board of Trustees, and the Spartanburg Methodist College Board of Trustees. Lee also worked as a Hospital Chaplain for several hospitals in Charleston and Summerville, SC. In addition to pastoring in Rock Hill, Lee pastored United Methodist churches in Hartsville, Darlington, Sumter, Kingstree, Charleston, and Moncks Corner, SC.

While a student at Claflin University, Lee met the love of his life, Mrs. Shirley Gordon Bines. Shirley was a Chemistry and Biology teacher at Northwestern High School and many other schools throughout South Carolina and New Jersey. They were married for 50 years. When God called Lee to the ministry, He also called Shirley. For over 40 years, Shirley encouraged, assisted, and supported Lee in his ministry.  They were a wonderful team. When you saw one, you saw the other one. Shirley preceded Lee in passing in 2021. To this union was born their lovely daughter, Ms. Alia S. Bines, a French Teacher at South Pointe High School. Alia shared a special bond with both her parents and will miss them both very much.

Surviving to cherish remarkable memories of Lee are his daughter, Ms. Alia S. Bines, Rock Hill, SC, his sister, Mrs. Betty Bines Davis, Bennettsville, SC, and Deacon Eddie Casey Bines (Sibyl), Summerville, SC. Two of Lee’s bothers preceded Lee in passing, Abraham Bines, Jr. (Willie Mae) and James Arthur Bines (Carolyn). Lee is also survived by many dear cousins, relatives, students and friends.