JULY 23, 1939 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
Valiant to the end, our Mother, Katherine Elaine Watson Hill’s life ended peacefully on September 30, 2023 at her loving senior community in Banner Elk, NC. Elaine, aged 84, was born July 23, 1939, in Greenville, SC, the daughter of Woodrow “Bill” Watson and Blanche Watson. She graduated Greenville High School, and soon after on October 17, 1957, she married the love of her life, Gerald B “Jerry” Hill; this October would have been their 66th year together. After living in Rock Hill, SC, Lumberton, NC and Beaufort, SC, she, and Jerry retired in Raleigh, NC. Out of this love and marriage their three sons were born.
Elaine was a devoted wife, loving mother, and caring friend, but she was so much more. She was an avid reader, accomplished artist in multiple mediums, pianist, vocalist, traveler, and adventurer, among many other things. Elaine attended two colleges in her youth, and later in life returned to study music theory, human resources, and anthropology. Of her many passions, probably the greatest was of Mayan culture which took her many times to the temples and rain forests of Mexico and Belize.
Through their church, she and Jerry were instrumental in organizing an outreach ministry to assist families in need in Honduras, Belize, and Kentucky. Elaine was a woman who was known as kind, tenacious, resilient, funny and most of all loving. Elaine was a gardener to make Earth proud. As a part of her garden, she loved and nurtured a fairy garden like none other.
One the things we talked about often was the fun we had growing up. Mom and Daddy taught us the art of play and recreation or as she said recently, “we sure taught you boys to recreate”!
Elaine was predeceased by her parents, by her loving husband, Jerry and her devoted Son-in-Law, Jeff Stanley (Mark). She is survived by sons Mark Edwin Hill-Stanley, James “Jimmy” Eric Hill (lifetime partner John Adams III), and Kenneth Michael Hill-Wright (husband Butch Wright). She was “Lainey” to her precious grandson Landy Hussong-Wright, and was adored by many nieces and nephews, her precious fur baby Jilly, and her grand dogs and grand cats. She will be missed beyond compare. Oh, how we loved her!
She has chosen cremation and her family will have a very simple private time with her now. There will be a public memorial service planned for some time in the future, and details will be released prior to that time. In lieu of sending flowers, please plant a little something in her memory to enjoy at your home, love on your animals and/or donate to Amorem (Hospice), 137 Moonstruck Lane, Boone, NC 28607.
Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton has the honor of serving the family.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at kirkseyfh.com for the Hill family.
