Obituaries of George W. and Martha Z. Hill, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/gwhill.txt ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb Project policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ALGenWeb Archives File Manager Carolyn Golowka, -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by William Fischer, Jr., February 2001 DEATH CLAIMS MRS. G. W. HILL --------------------------- Out from the shores of time the frail bark that bore the spirit of Mrs. George W. HILL [Martha Z. Hill, 17 Sep 1844--11 Apr 1919], on Friday afternoon last, floated into the great wide sea of eternity. Yet the Pilot who had so long been her guide knew the way, and those left behind to mourn the loss of a loved one realize that all is well. Less than twenty-four hours before she slipped out of sight this writer heard her say, as she struggled with the last enemy, "Let me rest a little." And how fitting was the rendition by the choir at the funeral service of that good old hymn, "On the other side of Jordan, in the sweet fields of Eden, there is rest for the weary." Mrs. HILL's health had been failing for years, yet she met the approach of the inevitable end with a fortitude and a faith in God that triumphed over suffering and made her a conquerer [sic] at last. Hers is a better heritage, but her going leaves disconsolate a devoted husband, whose faithful helpmeet [helpmate] she had been these fifty-four years. In his loneliness "Uncle George" has the love and sympathy of all his many friends. The passing of Mrs. HILL severs another of the links that bind in memory many of the older inhabitants to the Roanoke of other years. In those days, when this was a struggling village, Mrs. HILL contributed a good part to its moral and religious well being. She was a devoted member of the Baptist church, a modest christian [sic] woman and a true home maker. She will be particularly missed by those who knew her through the earlier years of her residence here, when the community life was ever more like that of one common family. On the busy afternoon of Saturday, the 12th, a large company of friends gathered at the Baptist church, where touching services were held in honor of the deceased, the pastor speaking in terms of high appreciation of the womanly worth of this good lady. The interment was made in the [Cedarwood] cemetery of this city. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 16 Apr 1919, p.1] ------------------------- MR. GEO. W. HILL FOLLOWS WIFE ------------------------ One more honored veteran of the Confederate Army will fail to answer at roll call in the reunion of his comrades to be held here April 26th [1919]. The final summons came to Mr. George W. HILL [28 Feb 1846-19 Apr 1919] at six o'clock in the afternoon of Saturday at his home in this place [Roanoke]. His spirit has gone to join those of his comrades who had preceded him to the happy, sinless land. Mr. HILL was no less a faithful soldier of the Cross than he was a defender of the Confederacy. For fifty years he had been one of the leading spirits of the local Baptist church and in all local community movements that looked to the uplift of the people. He was at all times firm in his defense of the right, yet was actuated by such kindly feelings that even those who differed with him loved and honored him. Without doing injustice to any other good man or woman who has lived and labored in Roanoke, we doubt if the records of eternity will show any whose earnest efforts have borne more fruit for the Master than those of this faithful toiler in the moral vineyard. There were times, when the town was much smaller than it is now, that he, with a few others, had to bear a disproportionate share of the burden. Yet he was faithful and uncomplaining. By a striking provision of Providence he followed to the grave his beloved companion after tarrying only eight days longer. In feebleness extreme he had worn himself out waiting on the afflicted wife, and when left alone he expressed the desire to depart and be at rest with her. While the loss to the world of such a man cannot be estimated, yet there is comfort in the thought that he has entered upon his well earned rest and into the realization of those things upon which his mind and heart had so long been stayed -- the joys that await the children of God at His right hand. The deceased was 73 years of age. He had wrought well and had come to the end in peace, honored by his fellows, and "his works do follow him." The history of Roanoke could not be written without assigning to G. W. HILL a prominent part, from the best information we can secure, he joined the church here in 1872 and was shortly afterward made a deacon. This office he filled without interruption until the time of his demise. For quite a number of years past he had the distinction of being senior deacon. For quite a long while in the earlier years he was superintendent of the Sunday school of his church. He was one of the founders of what was known as the Roanoke Male and Female Institute in 1874, when the large wooden house was built on the spot where now stands the brick building occupied by the lower grades. He was at that time elected one of the trustees, and held this position something like twenty years. During all the time up to his death he rarely, if ever, missed being present at the opening of a school session. His earnest talks and sound words of counsel will long live in the hearts of the pupils who heard him, many of whom are now filling responsible positions in life. Sunday [20 Apr 1919] afternoon, with the deacons and other older citizens of the town acting as pall bearers, the body of this faithful servant of God was carried to the Baptist church. There, amidst the floral offerings of friends and tokens of Easter, beautifully suggestive of the resurrection, words of eulogy were spoken in feeling manner by Rev. J. D. O'KEEFE, who gave a high but just appreciation of this good man. Around the casket many covenanted to emulate the virtues of the deceased. The remains were then interred beside those of the wife in the [Cedarwood] cemetery at this place. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 23 Apr 1919, p.1]