Obituaries

With humble respect, Sewell Mortuary in Grantville announces the transition of Betty I. Hill on September 4th, 2024.

The funeral service will be Saturday, September 14th, 2024 at 12 PM at New Springfield Baptist Church Greenville, GA

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Sept 13, at Sewell Mortuary.

On April 14th of 1934, Betty was born to Tom and Annie Mae Isaac in Birmingham, Alabama. Her mother, Annie Mae, sadly passed away during childbirth when Betty was four years old. Two years later, her father Tom tragically passed away as well. Betty continued living in Birmingham with her Uncle Albert and Auntie Pearl. When Betty was eight years old, she moved to Demopolis, Alabama with her father’s sister, Sarah Cox, and her husband, Gus.

Aunt Sarah raised Betty in a loving home where she was encouraged to pursue her dreams. Sarah instilled the importance of education and desired Betty to attend college. Shortly after moving to Demopolis, Aunt Sarah sought trained musicians to teach Betty how to play the piano. A piano was given to Betty, sparking her love for music and the piano. Betty had two music teachers, and the latter inspired her to become a trained musician. Betty attended U.S. Jones Elementary and High School, where she displayed her musical talent. She entertained her school friends (Hagar Young Washington, Para Lee Smith, Betty Pile Johnson, and Nannette Mann) in her living room, where they would sing and dance while Betty played the piano. Betty was a musician for Bethel Rock and several other churches in Alabama as a teen and on into adulthood. She graduated from U.S. Jones High School with honors, ranking fourth in her class. Betty chose Alabama State University to further her education, but during her first year of college, her Aunt Sarah passed away. Uncle Gus ensured that Aunt Sarah’s wishes for Betty to graduate were fulfilled. In 1956, Betty graduated with honors from Alabama State University as a Music major and an Education minor, aspiring to become a Music Therapist.

Betty dated Joseph Grant, with whom she shared a son, Thomas “Tommy” Grant. She developed an interest in teaching music to high school students and pursued her education at Tennessee State University, where she obtained her certification in Education. Betty began her first teaching job in a small town outside of Demopolis. In 1966, she sought employment in Georgia, interviewing in several counties across the state, but Meriwether County felt like home. Shortly after moving to Georgia, Uncle Gus passed away. Betty began her career as a music teacher at Meriwether County Training School, where she formed a choir that performed at various competitions and events. She taught the choir how to sing in harmony, and some students even learned to play the piano under her guidance. During this time, Betty met Warren Hill, whom she later married. Together, they had a daughter, Georgia “Gigi” Hill. Betty continued her work as a church musician in Meriwether County. After the music program ended in Manchester, she taught briefly at McCrary Elementary before being transferred to Luthersville Elementary. Betty earned her Master’s in Education from West Georgia College and taught Language Arts to fifth through seventh grades until 1980. She then transferred to Greenville Elementary, where she retired in 1999.

Betty joined the traveling gospel choir, The Good News Choraliers, under the direction of Ed Smith from LaGrange. The Choraliers included musicians and vocalists, and they traveled to different states singing praises to God. Betty served 39 years in the Meriwether County School System and two years in Alabama. During those years, she became a grandmother in 1986 when LeRodrian “Rod” Ponder was born to Gigi. Three years later, she welcomed two more grandsons, Thomas J. Grant (Tommy) in March 1989 and LeZerrian Hill (Gigi) in June of the same year. In October 1996, Betty joined the O.E.S. Bernice Chapter No. 234 (PHA) of Greenville, serving as Matron from 2004 to 2006. She remained active in the chapter for many years. Betty continued living in Greenville until health issues arose, prompting her to move in with her daughter and grandsons. In August 2007, Betty was blessed with two more grandchildren, a set of twins, Ashley and Ariel Martin (Tommy). In November 2015, her first great-grandchild, Jayce Hill (Zerri), was born. The following year, in June, her second great-grandchild, Kendrick Ponder (Rod), was born. Betty cherished her time with her great-grandsons, buying books and apps to help them learn. Known as “Nana” to them, she loved spending time with her family.

In 2018, Betty received a Cane Corso puppy named Queenie for Christmas. She adored Queenie as a puppy, but her joy was short-lived as Queenie grew to the size of a full-grown dog by six months. Queenie became Betty’s companion and nurse, assisting Gigi in caring for her mother. Betty remained with her daughter until the Lord called her home on September 4th, 2024.

Betty cherished her time with her family, enjoyed going out to eat, shopping, and traveling, but music always held a special place in her heart. She played for churches in Manchester, including Springfield Baptist, Rust Chapel, Zion Hill, Rocky Mount, Mt. Calvary, and New Springfield Baptist. She would also play for her former piano student, Rev. Jonas Ferguson, whenever she visited his church, where he proudly shared that she had taught him how to play. Betty provided music for countless funerals and weddings, and her love for music often found her in music stores, entertaining crowds by playing the piano for hours. She continued playing her piano at home, often in the middle of the night, with neighbors passing by hearing her melodies. Many of her piano students went on to become musicians themselves.

Betty is survived by her son, Thomas “Tommy” Grant, and her daughter, Georgia “Gigi” Hill. She leaves behind five grandchildren: LeRodrian “Rod” (Tanya) Ponder, Thomas J. (Alexis) Grant, LeZerrian “Zerri” Hill, Ashley Martin, and Ariel Martin. She also leaves behind two great-grandsons, Jayce Hill and Kendrick Ponder, along with a host of special friends, former students, goddaughters, and godsisters.

Sewell Mortuary is honored to provide end-of-life services to the family of Betty I. Hill.