January 18, 2015

Funeral service for Elsie Bennett Hill, 90, of Cullman was Wed., Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. at Life Pointe Church with the Revs. Chris Godfrey and Fred Nichols officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.

Burial was in Union Hill Cemetery, at 387 Hill’s Chapel Road, Falkville.

Mrs. Hill died Sunday at Folsom Center Rehab. She lived a full wonderful life. She was born July 27, 1924, in Morgan County to John Milton Bennett and Nellie Mae Bennett. In the 1940’s – 50’s, she was a homemaker and helped raise four children on a small farm in rural Morgan County. As times changed and children grew, so did she. At the age of 40, she got her driver’s license, then her GED when she was 60. She went on to obtain a Vocational Food Service degree from Wallace State College, which empowered her to manage Senior/ Nutrition Centers in Cullman and Morgan County for the Commission on Aging. At times, she also ran a route for Cullman Area Rural Transportation, driving a van. Everyone who knew her loved and admired her. She was married to her husband, Clifton Hill, for 49 years when he passed away in 1990. The most significant characteristic of Mrs. Hill’s life is her faith. She was involved in the founding of Hill’s Chapel Church of God and has been an active life long member. As an early teenager, her relationship with Jesus was established and has remained consistent. She has proved to be an example and spiritual influence in countless lives. One dear friend said, “You didn’t need a village to raise your children if you had Ms. Elsie.” Some of her last words before she went to sleep on Saturday night were, “Jesus, I’m ready to come home.” Sure enough, sometime between 5-6 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, she passed from this life to the next, in her sleep. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifton Hill; an infant son; and her parents.

She is survived by two sons, Donald “Don” Hill (Sandra) of Falkville and Bobby Hill (Sherrie) of Cullman; two daughters, Sue Hill of Falkville and Jean Bullard, of Cullman; four brothers, Sylvester Bennett (Martha) of Henderson, Ky., Luther Bennett (Macie) of Sorrento, Fla.; Freeman Bennett (Wanda) of Baileyton and Ray Bennett (Joyce), of Falkville; three sisters, Jane Hewitt (Harold), of Cummings, Ga., Joyce Watson (Bruce) of Miami, Fla. and Betty Knight, of Grapevine, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were family and friends.

Mrs. Hill’s family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to Gentiva Health Care, Woodland House Assisted Living and Cullman Long Term Care & Rehab for their care and compassion.