Jo Ann Hill

Jo Ann Hill, 73, of Frost passed away Sunday, January 11, 2015, at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. Funeral services will be held at Noon on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro with Rev. Darren Heil officiating. Burial will follow at Richland Cemetery near Mertens.

Born July 23, 1941 in Lafayette, Georgia, she was the daughter of Clyde and Euna (DeBord) Penland. Ellen Jo Ann Hill was a proper lady all her life. She would be overwhelmed to see the people who have come to pay respects. She was well educated, keenly intelligent, an accomplished pianist, cross-stitch artist, tole painter, seamstress, decorative cake maker, hostess and cook, ceramic crafts expert, master game player and cross word puzzle wizard. She was faithful to The Lord. She traveled globally on this earth. Six continents and over 30 countries logging over 800,000 air miles or 32 times around the circumference of the earth. Her ability to build lasting relationships with people of all races, religions, classes was remarkable. Prejudice of any kind just did not occur to her. Her humble, quiet demeanor never displayed her skill set. In her last years she treasured her new friends in Mertens and surrounding area. Fern Ballew, Mary Thompson, Pat Watson, Beverly Ballew, Megan Wellborn, Debbie Winters, Donna Elmore, Kim Perkins and the girls in the bank just to name a few she spoke of frequently. In her immediate neighborhood she loved talking with and about Sarah Wilkerson, Sharon Reeves, Brenda Burleson, Wanda Bowling, Angie Hornberger and Cheryl Blankenship. Cheryl Trotter is a long time dear friend. Her nephews and siblings in Georgia and Florida she loved dearly Becky Penland her niece and Faye Shipp a cousin, with whom she talked by phone frequently and visited annually.

In the last few months she had discussed the end of life and such issues as cemetery plots, preachers, pallbearers and other details. The men sitting here she named along with 20 or more others because she liked so many different styles and attributes in people. All here showed her respect and kindness for the afflictions she had suffered. She inquired about them frequently while enjoying riding in the country. Many of them often visited her on the back porch or by the fire.

In previous years she worked for four doctors in an office in Lewisville as an administrator, planner and record manager often bringing work home at night because she wanted all things neat and in order to start the next day. Working was not required but she wanted to contribute and do something after her children were up and away. If she had a weakness it was she considered her children to be something more than perfect in any measure you care to make. Her check book for 44 years looked like a Dell computer data sheet all letters, numbers equally spaced and sized for page after page and balanced to the penny. She loved to tell those close to her about the month she could not balance and took it to Anita at the Frost Bank. Anita balanced it and told her “I have never seen such a set of numbers and words so easy to work with.” She teared up with the compliment.

She had immense sympathy and empathy for those less fortunate in life. Handicapped, poverty stricken health issues and aged, or suffering losses. Often saying, “Bless their heart”. In a way that she meant it. She possessed a unique sense of humor along with reasoning ability balanced with a firm set of values. Most of the time she was running in mind when others were walking. However she would never allow herself to overshadow others preferring to smile and listen.

In the last years of her life she loved to ride in the country recounting all she spotted. Her family called her the newspaper reporter. Then in the Ranger with 5 dogs checking cows and calves and helping pick up firewood or watching hay work. When work was done it was coffee time on the porch watching cattle graze with dogs, birds, wind, sun and a bit of rain. Coming to Texas in 1979 after living in Tennessee and Georgia and having a fulfilling life here she loved to go home but always ready to come back to Texas. She suffered through and beat 3rd stage ovarian cancer in 2000. A serious stroke in 2009 with never a whine……. Always thanking God and her Doctors and care givers. Some of whom have come to visit her in her home. This last stroke took this fine lady. In the last 4 days of her life she indirectly received over 300 texts and phone calls including a personal visit in the hospital in Dallas. Unfortunately she was unable to enjoy and talk about all the kindness and care sent her way. She would undoubtedly thank all for those and all who are here individually. Although God can do all things he may have to dig around in his tool box and material bin to find the ingredients he used to make Ellen Jo Ann Hill.

P.S. She really liked DQ blizzards….

Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, DeForest Penland; and nephew, Mike Penland.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Hill of Frost; two children, Wendy Ellen Hill of Frost and Bobby Hill and wife, Natalie, of Highland Village; brother, James Oliver Penland and wife, Jean, of Lafayette, GA; sister, Tona Penland of Jacksonville, FL; sister-in-law, Marcheta Penland of Fort Oglethorpe, GA; nephews, Forest Penland, Van Penland and wife, Becky, Gene Penland and wife, Vicky, Ken Penland and wife, Vicky, and Ricky Penland and wife, Kathie; and a number of great-nephews and great-nieces.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1700 Lake Success Drive, Waco, TX 76710.

Funeral Service

Thursday January 15, 2015 , 12:00 PM at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro

Burial

Thursday January 15, 2015 at Richland Cemetery

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