* Charlotte Hines; Homemaker and Volunteer

Charlotte Lester Hines, homemaker and volunteer, died Thursday in Ventura after a lengthy illness. She was 86.

Born on Oct. 15, 1912, in Pittsburgh, she spent most of her early years in Eustis, Fla. Later, she moved to Newport News, Va.

She was a graduate of the Buxton School of Nursing, but devoted most of her life to her husband Harry L. Hines, a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, and their son Michael.

Her husband retired in 1957 and they lived primarily in Lancaster and Colorado Springs, Colo.

She was a member of the National Assistance League’s Antelope Valley chapter from 1958 to 1968. During that time, Hines was chairwoman of the Thrift Shop, vice president for two years, president for two years, and chairwoman of Tables Extraordinaire.

In the community, she was chairwoman of the Blood Bank, president of the Antelope Valley Guild of Children’s Hospital, president of the Allied Arts Assn. and co-organizer of the Antelope Valley Symphony Assn. For her service, she received the United Crusade Leadership Award for Los Angeles County in 1967.

When they moved to Colorado Springs, she became a charter member and charter president of the Assistance League of Colorado Springs.

Later she became the public relations chairwoman of the organization’s Region VII.

In 1991, the couple moved to Ventura and she continued her association with the National Assistance League’s Ventura chapter and spent many hours working at the Bargain Box Thrift Shop.

Catherine Hines, of Thousand Oaks, said her mother-in-law liked to read and was a good hostess.

Hines was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Harry.

She is survived by son Michael of Thousand Oaks, brothers Paul Lester of Granite Bay, Calif., and Major Lester of Missouri City, Texas; sister Mary Faith Randall of Pensacola, Fla.; and two grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name can be made to the Ventura Chapter of the National Assistance League or to Caregivers of Ventura County.

A memorial Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Our Lady of the Assumption Church with Father George Reynolds officiating. Burial will be private.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.