LaDel P. Hillard

LaDel Payne Hillard, age 97, passed away quietly on Sunday, February 16, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. LaDel was born in Tulia, Texas, on December 5, 1916, a daughter of A.D. Payne Sr. and Exa Johnson Payne. She spent her childhood years in Tulia and Amarillo, moving to Baytown in 1932. She met and married Barney William Hillard in September 1934, when Barney was hired by Humble Oil, “The Company.” They had two daughters, Mila Hillard Meier (Thomas) and Cathy Hillard Adams (John), and subsequently, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. LaDel was the first graduate of Lee College, class of 1934, and then went on to graduate from the University of Houston with a B.S. and M.A. in Education. She taught fifth grade at Highlands Elementary School for 20 years and influenced many young minds. Education was important to LaDel and she was always encouraging young people to keep studying and pursue their dreams.

LaDel and Barney were members of Grace Methodist Church for 50 years. After retirement, she and Barney travelled, did volunteer work, and played lots of bridge.

LaDel is survived by her two daughters and sons-in- law , Mila and Tom Meier, and Cathy and John Adams; grandchildren, John and Christine Meier with Madeleine, Alexandra, and Gavin, Keith and Susan Meier with Olivia, Katie, and Abigail, Ryan and Brenda Adams with Ellie, Vincent and Renata Adams with Ian, and KK Adams (fiancé Jason Klug). She is also survived by a sister, Bobby Jean Payne Armstrong and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Hillard Sayers, and many nieces and one nephew. She is preceded by her husband, Barney Hillard, and brother, A.D. Payne, Jr.

Graveside services will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 10:00 o’clock, presided over by Rev. Mike Proctor. In lieu of flowers, donations in LaDel’s memory can be made to the Lee College Foundation or St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.