Rita Hill

LASHMEET – Rita Clarice Anderson Hill, 81, of Lashmeet, died Saturday, October 29, 2016 with her devoted and caring husband by her side. Born February 15, 1935 in Princeton, she was the daughter of the late James M. Anderson and Eulalia I. Sweeney Anderson. Rita’s life story is one of perseverance and compassion for others throughout her life. Rita was raised in Princeton and was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church. Her father died when she was 16 years old and she went to work at Leggett Department Store while finishing her education and providing for herself and her mother. Rita went to Concord College where she excelled and graduated in the top of her class. She was a member of the Honor Society and other organizations. She decided during a high school date that Willis was the one for her and a wonderful lifelong love affair began to blossom. Rita went to work as an English teacher at Beaver High School from 1957 to 1959 before transferring to Matoaka High School. During this period she completed her Master’s Degree from WVU in 1966 with honors. She began the final part of her career at Bluefield State College working as an associate professor and ending as chairperson of the Humanities Division. During this period of time she worked towards her Doctorate Degree at Virginia Tech and was a member of the Graduate Honor Society. During her entire teaching career, she held an unwavering belief that a good education was a key to success and she was always there to help struggling students. Rita took great pride in her preservation work both at Concord University and Bluefield State College where she worked from 1966 until 2005 well beyond retirement age. Her greatest beliefs that she passed on to her family and others were strength, honesty, non-discrimination, morals, a willingness to listen and standing up for your beliefs. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant brother, James B. Anderson; and a grandson, Sean Jeremy Hill. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Living to cherish her memories include her devoted husband and caretaker, Willis Dean Hill; three sons, James V. Hill and wife Marie of Princeton, Dr. David D. Hill and wife Marcia of Rock and Andrew B. Hill of Rock; three grandchildren, Dr. Amanda “Katie” Hill of Morgantown, Amy Hill and husband Chris of Oceana and Andrew James “Drew” Hill of Atlanta, GA; and a great-granddaughter, the last great joy in her life, Mary Clarice “Claire” Mullens. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 2016 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Rev. David Damewood and Rev. Danny Gunnoe officiating. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church in Lashmeet. The family will receive friends Thursday, November 3, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. until service hour at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. To view a video tribute to Mrs. Hill, or share condolences with the family, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com.

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Rita Hill

February 15, 1935 - October 29, 2016