Queen Esther Hines

Queen Esther (Taylor) Hines was born on October 6, 1940, in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, to Mary Love (Powell) Taylor and Fred Taylor. Queen accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Hinds County, Mississippi.

The Queen and her siblings relocated to Champaign, Illinois, in 1956 to join their mother (Mary Love Powell-Taylor).

Queen married William (Billy) Edward Hines on September 3, 1959, in Champaign, IL, and in 2025, they celebrated their 66" wedding anniversary.

Queen was an active member of The Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Champaign, IL, and was a member of the church choir and the Progressive Men and Women's Club.

Queen attended Central High School and Parkland College in Champaign, illinois.

Queen was a successful entrepreneur; she owned and operated a Home Day Care for over 30 years.

Queen loved all of her daycare children as if they were her very own; her house was always full of love

Queen was what some would call a "Master Gardener" because her yard was adorned with a beautiful array of flower beds that could easily appear on the front cover of any gardening magazine. Others were inspired to start flower beds in their yards after seeing Queen's yard and would invite her over to get her "seal of approval" and after that, the sky was the limit from that feedback.

Also, Oueen could wear a hat like no other, whether the hat was small or large, she always looked

"regal."

Queen was a loving mother who would sacrifice anything for her children. Even prolonging her passing until her daughter left her side.

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Queen made her earthly transition to her Heavenly home.

She leaves to cherish her beautiful memories: her husband William (Billy) Hines; one daughter, Angela Bell (Ricardo), two sons, Fredrick Christopher and Paul Anthony Hines: two aunts, Frankie Jean Terry and Lucille Wade, and one uncle, Monroe Powell, all of Mississippi. Four bonus daughters, Kimberly Pittman-Carr, Eileen Oldham, Michelle Bell, and Cliffie King. Eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Queen was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Helen Wade, Lovie Jean Taylor, and Charles Edward Taylor.

Queen was very strong in her faith and was a very kind and loving person.

A celebration of life will commence at 12:00 Noon Wednesday January 28, 2026 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home 1215 W. Bradley Ave., Urbana. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am until the time of the service. Interment will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery at a later date.

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