Mary Carrie Sue Stephens Hill

Mary Carrie Sue Stephens Hill was born August 14, 1933, daughter of the late John and Mattie Sue Brim Stephens she departed this life August 19, 2009. On March 24, 1954, she married James Omon Hill, who preceded her in death. To this union three sons were born: Kenneth Wayne Hill (deceased), Shawn Stephen Hill, (DeSoto, TX) and Fitzgerald Hill (Little Rock, AR). She was also blessed with three daughters by marriage: Mary Carolyn (Kenneth), Valaria Yvette (Shawn) and Cynthia Annie Marie (Fitzgerald). She leaves behind six grandchildren: Shurronda Lynn Hill, Kameron DeShawn Hill, Kristen Dion Hill, Destiny Jade Hill, Faith Monet Hill, Justice Alexander Hill and one great-grandson, Jai Quan Love-Hill. Mary’s siblings included two sisters: June Lee Callaway (Hot Springs, AR) and Rosie Lee Williams (deceased); two brothers, Willie Lee Stephens (deceased) and Buster Brim (deceased). She leaves a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Hill lived most of her life in Arkadelphia, serving her church, home, and community. Although for 25 years she battled illness, she would say that she had a full and wonderful life. She loved and respected all people and the theme of her life was, “If I Can Help Somebody”. Through her 28 years as a school secretary and registrar in the Arkadelphia Public School system, she had the opportunity to touch and direct many of the city’s youth. She was a surrogate mother to many of them. She understood that serving the Lord and taking advantage of educational opportunities were the keys to empowering individuals and communities. Her personal trademark was her contagious smile and genuine warmth, which she often used to recruit college students to join the Young Adult Choir of St. Paul AME. Mary’s life was centered on serving her church, St. Paul AME. It was in January of 1984 at a church board meeting that illness would change her life as she originally knew it; however, it would never affect her spirit or smile. She later moved to California with her loving sister (June Callaway) to establish another circle of family and friends. After twenty-four years in California, June and Mary packed up and moved back to Arkansas to be close to those she had missed for so long. The sisters relocated to Hot Springs in March of 2009 where she would go home to be with the Lord August 19, 2009. Mrs. Hill will lie in state at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 1505 Caddo Street on Friday, August 21st from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Final tributes in honor of her life will be shared on Saturday, August 22nd at 3:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of Peake Elementary School, 1609 Pine Street. Dr. James Thomas, pastor of Bethel AME Church will inspire words of comfort and encouragement. The committal service and final resting place will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in the Joan community.