Obituary: Nettie Frances Hill

Nettie Frances Hanks Hill, age 88 of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, passed away at the Methodist Medical Center surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, May 17, 2014.

She was born on April 24, 1926, in Columbus, Mississippi, and was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie E. Breazeale Hanks of Columbus, Mississippi, and Luke Jackson Hanks Jr. of Bolivar, Tennessee; her brother, Luke Jackson Hanks III; and sister, Sarah Margaret Hanks Sternberg of Columbus, Mississippi.

Nettie was a devoted homemaker and loving wife of John Walter Hill Jr., her surviving husband of 64 years. Nettie and John inspired many with their dedication and support of the Oak Ridge community and the First United Methodist Church, serving on many boards and committees.

She is survived by her two daughters Mary Jane Hill of Roswell, Georgia, and Sandy Hill Whitten of Santa Margarita, California, and she was a loving grandmother to Ursula Gabrielle Rogers of Costa Mesa, California.

She is also survived by her sister, Nancy Hanks Springfield of Columbus, Mississippi; brothers-in-law, T.W. Hunt of Conroe, Texas, and Billy G. Hill of Ridley, Mississippi; and sister-in-law Faye Blackwood Hill of Memphis, Tennessee.

Nettie had a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews Michael and Jan Sternberg of Republic, Washington; Steve and Lorrie Sternberg of Pocatello, Idaho; Rev. Terrie Sternberg of Pulaski, Virginia; Paul and Liz Sternberg of Anderson, Indiana; Margaret and Robert Smalley of Knoxville, Tennessee; Melana and Steve Monroe of Conroe, Texas; Bill Hill of Ridley, Mississippi; Jon and Jennifer Hill; Jeb and Debbie Hill; Amy Beth and Jayson Bethea, all of Memphis, Tennessee; Diane Springfield Domeij of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Beth Anne Springfield of Tustin, California; Billy Jackson Springfield of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank her beloved caregiver, Chrysty Grigsby of Harriman, Tennessee, who made Nettie’s recent years so comfortable and joyful.

Nettie worked with the Altrusa Club and the YWCA of Oak Ridge, where she served on the governing board. She loved working with young people and inspired many as a teacher of classes in cooking and baking, needlework, and even soap making. She was a long time “pink lady” volunteer at the Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge and enjoyed assisting visitors in the hospital gift shop.

Nettie took great joy in her treasured friends in Oak Ridge and loved to bring out a smile with her quick wit and support them with kind words of encouragement. She was known for her gourmet cooking skills, either preparing delicious dinners in her home for family and friends or helping to organize luncheons for 200 guests at YWCA or church functions.

Her sewing, needlecraft, and doll making skills were exceptional. The porcelain dolls she created with custom clothing she sewed for each one made them special gifts over the years. She even took up lace and rug making, creating treasured heirlooms for her family.

She loved working with her husband John in their beautiful garden that was the site of many garden tours over the years. She especially enjoyed creating a unique East Tennessee wildflower garden from native plants she rescued from lands that were eventually covered by the waters of the lake created by the TVA Melton Hill Dam.

Nettie greatly enjoyed traveling with John and visited Europe, New Zealand, Great Britain, many countries in Europe, as well as many areas in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Memorial Services will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. Family visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. in the church parlor, the memorial service will be at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary, with a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service until 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Nettie’s name can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.