Arlena Hines was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 6, 1950, to Lethia and Arthur Dudley. She was the first born of six children. A proud alumna, Arlena received her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. She met Ken Hines, her husband of 50 years, while a college student.

An accomplished and award-winning educator, Arlena was a professor at Lansing Community College (LCC) for over 20 years. At LCC, she mentored hundreds of students as an academic advisor and professor focusing on interior design. Additionally, Arlena enjoyed developing new academic and internship programs. She was enthusiastic about interior design, authoring publications, and regularly presenting and lecturing on universal design, aging in place, and ethical design at industry conferences with her colleague and friend Roberta Null. Arlena held a leadership role in the National Kitchen & Bath Association, and was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). As an interior designer and entrepreneur, she designed and furnished commercial and residential interiors, specializing in elderly housing and residential construction. Before LCC, Arlena held roles at various educational institutions, and also served as Executive Director of the Community Design Center School of Drafting & Design.

Arlena was civic-minded and active in community affairs; she was an active board member with various organizations throughout her career. Most recently, Arlena served as Vice President and board member of the East Side Community Action Center, a nonprofit focused on poverty alleviation. She was a charter member of the Greater Lansing chapter of Jack and Jill of America, a former Junior League member, and an active soror of Delta Sigma Theta.

Arlena was a proud mother of three children: Kelly, a psychotherapist; Candace an attorney; and Joe, a dentist. She was a caring person, serving as a mother figure to extended family and friends and the primary caretaker of her parents. Arlena was also known for her determination and indomitable spirit; she enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, cooking, listening to jazz and gospel music, and volunteering in the community. She enjoyed creative endeavors including event planning, fashion design, and facilitating art education for youth.

Arlena was preceded in death by: her parents, Lethia Green Dudley and Arthur Dudley; her son, Dr. K. Joseph Hines II; and her brother, Vinson Dudley. She is survived by: her husband, Kenneth Hines; daughters, Kelly Hines and Candace Hines Carreker (Brian); siblings, Arthur Dudley II (Doreen), Dr. Dale Dudley, Darnell Dudley (Sarah), and Ann Burns; and many nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Those desiring to may contribute to the K. Joseph Hines, II, Emanuel First Lutheran School Scholarship, The K. Joseph Hines, II Memorial Scholarship Fund at Denison University, or the K. Joseph Hines, II Memorial Scholarship Fund for Diversity in Dental Education at The Ohio State University.

To view the livestream for Mrs. Hines' funeral service, please use the following link: http://emanuelfirst.org/

Arrangements for Mrs. Hines are as follows: