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Mr. Robert Elton Hill, 80

Services for Mr. Robert Elton Hill will be held Feb. 4 at noon at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Cyprus O’Neal, Pastor Reginald Cordy Sr. and Dr. Elgin Lanier “Neal” Dixon presiding.
Robert Elton Hill was born May 13, 1942, to Eschol and Onie Strong Hill in Hazlehurst. He was the “knee-baby,” or the second youngest of nine children. His family was close-knit, inseparable, and devoted to one another.
Affectionately called “Bob,” at an early age he joined Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and regularly attended Sunday school and Baptist Training Union.
He was an outgoing, intelligent, mischievous youngster who relished the outdoors. Bob attended Saint Matthews School and later Hazlehurst High and Elementary School. Elected as senior class president by his peers, Bob graduated first in the Class of 1960.
Bob served 24 years in the United States Navy. His ports of call included Parris Island, S.C.; Cadiz, Spain; Norfolk, Va.; Beaufort, S.C.; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Meridian, Miss.; Charleston, S.C.; and Great Lakes, Ill. He an Associate’s Degree from Tidewater Community College of Norfolk, Va., and a Bachelor’s Degree from Baptist College of Charleston, S.C. He was honorably discharged in 1984 and returned to his hometown.
While stationed in Norfolk, he attended Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church where he met Mrs. Vera Patterson who invited him to her home for dinner. There, he met and fell in love with Mrs. Patterson’s daughter, Katherine Phyllis Powell. They were married at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church Feb. 26, 1966. They had three children: Glynis Marie, Robin Erika, and Robert Elton III “Bobby.”
After retiring from the Navy, Bob was employed by Hazlehurst Mills as a purchasing agent, retiring in 2003.
Bob was a faithful member of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, and director of the Vacation Bible School. He read and studied the Bible religiously and was often called upon to lead Bible Study and prayer meeting.
Bob was a member of the Hazlehurst Chapter of the NAACP, and he was elected as president. He was a co-founder of FoodShare at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. When FoodShare was reactivated at Antioch C.M.E. Church, he was a reliable assistant and loyal supporter.
Bob was an avid golfer and fisherman. He served as treasurer of the Hill Family Reunion for over two decades and as administrator of the Hill Memorial Garden. He was a gifted baker who enjoyed watching CNN, black and white westerns, and sports on television.
Bob was a witty conversationalist, imitating celebrities, politicians, relatives, and friends. He loved to recount the history of Jeff Davis County, in particular the pre-integration era. One of Bob’s greatest joys was fulfilling the father-figure role for his extended family. Bob received his grandest title when his children gave him grandchildren. To be called “Papa” was his highest honor.
Surrounded by his loving family, Bob gained his wings Jan. 23 at home under hospice care. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Lafayette Hill and James Eschol Hill; sisters Wilhelmina Hill Parrish, Amenzerolee “Pennye” Hill Thomas, Carolyn Hill Mitchell, and Mildred Hill Wilcox; parents-in-law Clarence Patterson and Vera Powell Patterson; sisters-in-law Rose Powell Johnson and Fera Kornegay Hill; brothers-in-law Ivy Jimmie Thomas and Henry Kenzo Mitchell.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Phyllis Hill of Hazlehurst; daughters and their husbands Glynis and James Morrison of Summerville, S.C.; Robin and Garrick Burton of Valdosta; son, Robert Elton “Bobby” Hill II of Federal Way, Wash.; grandchildren Jayden Robert Morrison of Summerville, S.C., Logan James Morrison of Augusta, McKenna Felice Morrison of Summerville, S.C., Rae’gan Genise Burton of Richmond, Va., Rhalyn Phylea Burton of Valdosta, Robert Elton “Trey” Hill III, Payton Alexandra Hill, and Elliana Jean Hill, all of Federal Way, Wash.; bonus grandchildren Rodney Oldham and Tristen Steward; goddaughter, Chelsea Mitchell of Dallas, Texas; brothers John Edward (Mary) Hill of Atlanta, and Dr. Glenwood F. (Betty) Hill of Fort Valley; sister-in-law, Helen Hill of Hazlehurst; brother-in-law, Charles Wilcox of Hazlehurst; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.
Honorary pallbearers are Frankie Conaway Sr., Charlie Bennett Jr., Rueben Kirby, Frank Givens, Gene Christy, Willie Lee Sanders, Glenn Harris Sr., Gregory Thomas, Tommie Don Moss, Wilson Thomas, Johnny Myles, Charles Wilcox, Dr. Glenwood Hill, John Edward Hill, Walter B. Drayton, Dr. Cornelius Wooten, Arvin Berry Sr. and Pastor Franklin Moses.
Active pallbearers are Charles Mitchell, Cedric Kirby, Kelvin Hill, Robford Hill, Anthony Wilcox, Bruce Mitchell, James Hill, Jurad Hill and Voris Crooms.
Honorary floral attendants are Class of 1960.
Active floral attendants are Clarice Wooten, Marguerite Hill, Tanya-Hill-Harper, Jean Christie, Joan Givens, Eloise Kirby, Molly Merritt, Cassandra Berry, Cheryl Barrett, Tammye Smoot, Donna Williams, Sonya Hill, Kathy Hill-Moses, Tara Hill, Donna Williams, Dr. Heather Hill and great-nieces.
King Brothers Funeral Home was in charge. www.kingbrothersfh.com

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