Mary Louise Hill

A Glimpse Into the Life ofMary Louise Hill The beautiful and sweet life of Mary Louise Hill came to a close on Monday, January 15, 2018, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was born on Sunday, November 20, 1932, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to the union of Chester Van Buren Harris and Ruby Fort. She gave her life to Christ at a tender age. She attended the Manchester School in the Manchester Community and Peake High School. Intelligent, shy and fiercely loyal, she formed life-long friendships with many classmates of Peake High School, and special family ties with her immediate siblings. Mary grew up to be a beautiful and humble young lady. Shortly after high school, Mary married and the family moved to Mt. Pine, Arkansas. Curious and excited about the possibilities of a life outside of Arkansas, the family moved to Forest Hill, California and finally settled in Sacramento. She worked as a cook at the popular Lil Joe’s in Sacramento. Retiring after 20 years, Mary left Sacramento for good and returned to Arkadelphia. She united with the Great Pleasant Hill Baptist Church family under the pastorate of Rev. Ron Browning. Mary was a faithful steward and a member of the Women’s Sunday school class. She served as a trustee and greeter. She enjoyed the teachings of Pastor Shepherd, the music that stirred her soul and the fellowship of many friends. Mary was an independent woman, mother and grandmother. She resumed her role in the workforce and on April 1, 1980, she was employed by the Arkadelphia Public School District. In 1988, she was promoted as supervisor of custodians for the district. On June 30, 2010, after 30 years of service, she retired and was employed as a Foster Grandparent with Ouachita Baptist University and assigned to Peake Elementary School. However, her zest for life and youthful spirit allowed her to live with the exuberance of a teenager, all while continuing to travel, garden, cook, study the bible and black history. She never spoke harsh words and was always wise and thoughtful with the advice she gave others. Her loving personality and attitude towards life was the perfect model for others to follow. Her passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of those that knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings, Shirley Harris, Alma Drane, Janette Washington, and T.C. Harris; two great-grandsons, Gibson Lee Erwine and Declan Erwine. She leaves her children, Lera Gibson of Arkadelphia, AR, Barry Hill of Sacramento, CA and Tina Hill of Arkadelphia, AR; three granddaughters, Amanda (Dustin) Brown, Shaquana Hopper and Nicole Hill; three great-grandchildren, Kennadee Hopper, Kaeson Hopper and Keegan Hopper. She also leaves six sisters, Odessa Caesar of Sacramento, CA, Linda (Nathaniel) Perry of Milwaukee, WI, Sadie Carter of Milwaukee, WI, Mertie Mitchell of Garland, TX, LaVern Slaughter of Arkadelphia, AR, and Eva (Charles) Roberson of Altadena, CA; three brothers, Chester (Marian) Harris, Jr., of Altadena, CA, Bobby (Carol) Harris of Altadena, CA and Jerry (Francis) Harris of Altadena, CA; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, special friends, Lottie Burney, Gracie Reed, Dorothy Luster, Levi Garland, other friends and Greater Pleasant Hill Church family. Public visitation will be held on Friday, January 26, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. A celebration of her life will be on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., serving as eulogist. Interment will be at Piney Grove Cemetery.