Carolyn D. Spellman-Hines

Carolyn Darlene ("Lene") Spellman Hines departed this life, Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 1:40 AM at her home - 228 Rosemont Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia - at the tender age of 65 years old. She was born October 11, 1959, at Norfolk General Hospital, in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late Missionary Ella ("Shorty") Louise Jones Spellman and Brother Sylvester Duke Spellman. She was raised in Seatack, on Hughes Avenue.

Darlene (affectionately called by those her knew her best) attended STOP Organization Preschool, Seatack Elementary, Virginia Beach Jr. High, and First Colonial High - where she graduated the class of 1977. More than just her education, she possessed common sense, was street smart, and reared her children with strong motherly instinct. And although she later carved her own path, her mother, Missionary Elouise Spellman, made sure she had a firm foundation by rearing her up in St. Stephen's C.O.G.I.C., as a child. She later instilled this same sense of faith in her own children by making them attend church during their own childhood.

Coming up, she ran track in school, and throughout the larger Seatack Community, and Blackwater. Darlene was a natural-born runner. Had she pursued it, she probably could have made something of it - professionally, or otherwise. In her later years, her hobbies were on the less athletic side - but she pursued them just as much as she did her track career. She was an avid soap opera watcher, and could often be heard saying, 'Call me back later - my stories on'. She was also a dedicated lottery player, and would often go between crying that she missed a number, to celebrating that she hit. She loved going to Bingo, too - a lotta times around-the-clock. There was also a time she used to play card games like Spades, Pitty-Pat, Tunk, and a few other card games she learned from her Daddy and those around the way. Outside of her gambling habits, she loved her cigarettes and beer. And if you happened to be around her at any gathering, she was always the "life-of-the-party". She would always laugh and joke - and as many could tell you - she had a mouth that would either make people blush or shake their head. If you were up the street, you could probably hear her from a few houses down - she was that loud! - either from her laughing, or from joking.. On a more personal  level - she loved to talk -and could definitely carry on a conversation. Darlene, had a mouth! 

Sometime during the early 1980s, she met the love-of-her-life, Ronnie ("Bay-Bay") Lee Hines. Through many ups and downs, and several babies later., they were officially married (through the Justice of the Peace), at home, on September 23,  2000. The day was also made special by it being Mike's birthday (their son), and them having a house warming to celebrate the their residence. A day we'll never forget! Bay-Bay died February 6, 2010, on his son, Meatball's birthday. Another day we'll never forget! Bay-Bay was blessed to be able to meet his granddaughter, Kennedi. And Darlene was blessed to be able to meet both her grand-daughter, Kennedi, and the newest addition - her grandson, Adonis - late last year (November 5, 2024). The time was short, but it was precious.

In addition to the names already listed, (and bear repeating again), Darlene leaves to cherish 1 daughter: Darlene ("Geina") Amanda Spellman (affectionately named, Big Girl) (of Norfolk, VA); 3 sons: Ronald Larenzo Spellman & wife Mrs. Lisa Skinner (of Chesapeake, VA); Demetrius ("Meatball") Daniel Spellman, Michael ("Mike") Dwight Spellman - both of Virginia Beach; 2 grand-daughters: Kennedi (also called, Big Girl) Ami Spellman and Keshauna Skinner Dowe; 2 grandsons: Adonis Capers (of Norfolk, VA) and Kenyetta Skinner (of Chesapeake, VA); 3 great grandchildren: Antonio Dowe, Jr., Ayla Dowe, and Aaliyah Dowe - all of Chesapeake, VA; 2 sisters: Sylvia ("Mush") Spellman (of Virginia Beach) and Annette Spellman Hook (and husband, Robert. better known as ("Rob") - both of Norfolk, VA; 2 sister-in-laws: Wanda Fletcher Spellman (preceded in death by her husband, "Bruce" Spellman) and Doris ("Mickey") Hines Wilson (and husband, Clinton "Clint" Wilson); and 2 long-time friends, Veralet Wright and Celeste James - both of Virginia Beach, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues and associates.

She is predeceased (some stated earlier) by: husband: Ronnie ("Bay-Bay") Lee Hines (52, in 2010) (of Virginia Beach); parents: father, Brother Sylvester ("Duke") Spellman (66, in 2002) and mother, Missionary Ella ("Shorty") Louise Spellman (71, in 2006) - both of Virginia Beach; 1 mother-in-law: Charlotte Hines (78, in 1996) 2 brothers: Alvin ("Pokey") Cornelius Spellman (58, in 2016) (of Virginia Beach); 2 sisters: Annie "Doug" Ruth Spellman (44, in 2005) and Shelia ("Rooster") S. Robinson (54, in 2013) - both of Virginia Beach, and husband: Robert Weldon Robinson (Darlene's brother-in-law) (68, in 2025, just shy of 2 months ago) (also of Virginia Beach) (Robert and Darlene also had birthdays one after the other: his, October 10, hers, October 11); 2 more brother-in-laws: Carl "Bubba" Lynn Hines (52, in 2015) and "Nunny" Hines; 2 sister-in-laws: Pauline Hines (87, in 2023) (of Virginia Beach) and Laverne Hines (70, who died just a day later, on Friday, May 30, the very next morning) (of Norfolk); and 1 great niece: Cassandra Ann Spellman

Special thanks to those who tended to our mother during her final month and stretch of days: The Sentara Hospice Care staff - everyone from the nurses and coordinators, to the oxygen tank delivery men; the entire Sentara doctor and nursing and administrative staff who did their best to treat our mother during her many trips and stays in the last month or so; to her PCP, Katie Bacon, who told her to go to the hospital as soon as possible, and who was always a great and informed doctor with every visit; to special friend, Veralet Wright, Sylvia "Mush" Spellman and Annette Hook, Lisa Skinner and Ronald Spellman - all who did their best to ease the pain and comfort her during her final-final moments...and to everyone who may have prayed, offered a kind word, or merely kept her in their thoughts - we thank you, with love.