Rosemary Hill was born on October 16, 1927 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to Carlee and Ellen Mary Williams (later Montgomery). Rosemary was the youngest of three children, her sister Mattie and brother Emitt both preceded her in death. In 1943, Rosemary married her childhood sweetheart, Marshall Hill, who preceded her in death. They were blessed with two children: Wesley Hill (deceased) and Fayth Genie Hill-Washington. While living in Hoxie, Arkansas, they attended Bethel A.M.E. Church in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Rosemary's mother provided guidance, love, and emphasized the importance of education. In return, Marshall and Rosemary passed these values to their children. This civic-minded couple was very active in the desegregation of the Hoxie Public School system in 1955, to ensure their children had an opportunity for equal education. In 1958, the family re-located to Gary, Indiana. There, the Hill family joined St. James A.M.E. Church. Rosemary received her Nursing degree from Purdue Calumet School of Nursing. During her tenure as an LPN for the Gary Health Department, she served as Vice President of the Indiana Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses. Appointed by the Governor of Indiana, Rosemary served as the Vice President of the Board of Nurse's Registration and Education. After moving to Memphis in 1996, Rosemary joined St. Andrew A. M. E. Church. At "The Saint," she served in the Elmer Martin Choir, Sanctuary Choir, Missionary Society, Sorores Lucis Club, Ruby Spight Stewardess Board, and active participant of Church School, Eastern Stars and Food Works Ministry. She also was active with The Longview Heights Civic Club, NAACP, Urban League, Compassionate Friends, and a volunteer for Senior Leaders. Upon Rosemary Hill's departure from life at 8:45 a.m. on November 5, 2005, she leaves her daughter, Fayth (Genie) Hill-Washington of Memphis, TN; a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Shelby Hill of Gary, IN; six grandchildren, Tonya (O.C.) Markham of Memphis, TN, Tressa Hill, Terria Hill, Tomeka Hill, all of Gary, IN, J'Bunta Washington and Marshall Washington, both of Memphis, TN; six great-grandchildren, one great granddaughter, two first cousins, Ozona Page and Ruth Donelson of Decatur, IL; nephews, Charles (Ella Mae) White, Harold White, and Carl White of Walnut Ridge, AR; a special niece, Linda White and a host of other relatives, many very special friends, and extended families.

--from the funeral program of Mrs. Hill, St. Andrew African Methodist Episcopal Church, Memphis, Tennessee, Friday, November 11, 2005, 12:00 Noon.


Rosemary Hill, 78, of Memphis, retired nurse, died Saturday, November 5, 2005 at St. Francis Hospital. Services will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, November 11 at St. Andrew AME Church with burial at noon Saturday, November 12 in Scott Cemetery in Walnut Ridge, AR. She was a member of St. Andrew AME Church, Longview Heights Civic Club and Ruby Spieght Stewardress Board. Mrs Rosemary Hill's life represented the fighting spirit that pushed our society to recognize the injustices associated with racial segregation. Her commitment to equal opportunity and education will live through the Hill Foundation's work to inform and inspire others about the desegregation of schools in Hoxie, AR in 1955. Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall, and son, Wesley. She leaves a daughter, Fayth (Genie) Hill Washington of Memphis, five granddaughters, Tanya (O.C.) Markham of Memphis, Tressa L. Hill, Terria Hill and Tameka Hill, all of Gary, IN, and J'Bunta Washington of Memphis; a grandson, Marshall Washington of Memphis; six great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.