Jean Carter Hill

Jean Carter-Hill

Jean Alice Augusta Carter - Hill, born to the late Patrick Carter Sr. and Annie Long Carter, was born July 5, 1937 in Memphis Tennessee. Jean was the second oldest of six children, raised in a close-knit family. In her early years she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and attended Collins Chapel Missionary Baptist church where she was a dedicated member. Her commitment to serving God continued on as an active member of Mt. Carmel C.M.E Church.

Jean attended Lake View elementary school in Arkansas and Woodstock High School in Memphis where she was the star basketball player. She studied Child Development as well as Public Speaking and Business Mathematics at Kenney-King College in Chicago.

Jean watched as her mother worked tirelessly serving the community to make it better. Her mother instilled in each of her children the importance of showing compassion to others. Little did Jean realize the seed had been planted for a life long journey of serving her family, her community and friends.

Jean met her first love Robert Johnson and was united in marriage in 1957 and together they raised five children. At the urging of her sister Johnnie, and to provide a better life for their family they moved to Chicago in 1962.

Jean and Robert moved to the West side and after a brief stay moved to Englewood where she remained for the past 46 years. Jean would often reflect on days when the Englewood community wasn’t riddled with crime. An increase in unemployment, drug addiction and high crime affected the neighborhood dramatically which led her to become involved.

Jean met and married Henry Hill in 1978. Henry always said that she saved his life and “he had the best wife ever”.

Jean worked for the Chicago Public School District for 25 years as a school community representative.

Jean did her best to get youth involved and encouraged them to take part in community action by seeking resources. In 1996 students at Nicholson School were fearful of passing an abandoned Englewood Hospital building located one half blocks from the school. Jean worked with those youth to seek resources. CAPS members provided the funds for transportation for the youth to attend the hearing regarding the matter. What an experience it was for her and the youth to witness the benefits of Communicating, Connecting and Collaborating! As a result, the Judge put the hospital up for demolition. Mayor Daley was present to see the building come down and as always, Jean saw yet another opportunity to Communicate, Connect and Collaborate. She spoke with him about plans to make something of the wooded area between the hospital parking lot and Nicholson School. With help from the community, it became Nicholson School’s parking lot, a beautiful campus park and garden known as Jean Carter Hill Community Garden. She was so excited about how it improved the appearance of the community and humbled by the recognition.

Jean attended an “Imagine Chicago” citizen leadership class in the summer of 1997, looking for fresh ideas to improve the quality of life in Englewood.

Impressed by what she heard, Jean recruited her friend, Helen Arnold Massey and returned for another session. Jean and Helen partnered to found IEI, IMAGINE ENGLEWOOD IF in 1997. The response from the community was overwhelming. IEI continues to this day, with a primary focus on community health while expanding to engage and empower countless Englewood youth to make positive decisions about their future. IEI also became the national leader in the fight against lead poisoning. As Executive Director of IEI, Jean worked with whoever would partner for the good of youth and the community.

Jean joined with many other community groups to found and maintain the Englewood Community Cultural Planning Council, a body of residents, arts and cultural organizations and other neighborhood organizations, that meets monthly to address community issues through the arts.

Jean surrounded by her family was called home to be with her heavenly father on Friday, June 24, 2016.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers¸ Emmett and Patrick Carter: Sister Johnnie Naylor and 1 step daughter Renee Prichete.

Jean’s life will always be remembered and cherish by her devoted husband, Henry, children, Gregory Carter, Sheryl Lott (Jonathan), Robert Johnson Jr., Debra Coble (Bernard), and Mark Johnson. 3 step children, Henry Hill Jr., Michele Hill and Fredrick Hill: 15 grandchildren, Latrice (Ignatius), LaShaundra, DeLisa (Charles), Raquel, Dericka, Derrick Jr. , Raven, Dejuan, Marissa, Enya, Pierre, Amaris, Fredrick, Deangelo and Trevor: 6 great grandchildren: sisters, Eloise Gardner (Cle) and Ann Brewer; many nieces, nephews, cousins, god children and friends.

Arrangements entrusted to Kenny Brothers Funeral Directors, Evergreen Park, IL 60805