Hannah Brummitt Hills, former executive director of WMU in South Carolina, died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, in Raleigh, N.C.
Hannah HillsShe was born March 30, 1920, in Oxford, N.C., and was educated at Wilton Grammar/High School, Woman’s College in Greensboro and Southwestern Seminary.
Her first job took her to Independence, Va., and Greensboro, where she worked in the offices of Burlington Mills. Upon completion of seminary in 1950, she was called as educational director to First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, N.C.
In 1954 she was invited to join the staff of the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville, Tenn. Her work included nine years in the cradle roll department, five in research and program design, and one as family ministry consultant to adults. She wrote many articles for Sunday School Board publications and authored one book, “The Cradle Roll Department Visitor.”
In January 1970 she joined the staff of Woman’s Missionary Union, South Carolina Baptist Convention, as administrative assistant and Baptist Women director. In July 1973 she was appointed WMU executive director and remained in that position until her retirement June 30, 1985.
Hills chaired the committee to produce a history of WMU in celebration of 100 years of organized missions work in South Carolina, resulting in the book, “The Eternal Now,” which was written by Kathryn Greene and published in 1980. Near the end of her career, Hills oversaw the development and building of Camp LaVida, South Carolina WMU’s missions education camp for girls.
After retirement she moved to Raleigh to be near family and began life at Springmoor Retirement Community.
She was predeceased by her husband, F. Douglas Hills. Survivors include a sister, nieces, nephews and cousins.
“Hannah Hills loved missions and Woman’s Missionary Union,” said Evelyn Blount, executive director-treasurer of South Carolina WMU. “While in South Carolina, she dedicated her life to serving this cause.”
Friends are invited to gather for visitation at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary’s St., Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Greystone Baptist Church, 7509 Leadmine Road, Raleigh, Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1-1:45 p.m. in the church’s Gathering Space.
Memorials can be made to WMU Foundation (P.O. Box 11346, Birmingham, Ala. 35202-1346) and designated for South Carolina, North Carolina, or national WMU.