Loretta H Hill

Loretta Huneycutt Hill, 81, passed away in the company of family at The Legacy of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on April 19, 2026. Loretta was born to Reece Huneycutt and Vassie Lambert Huneycutt, and lived most of her life in Monroe, North Carolina with her husband of nearly 60 years, Walter Dean Hill.

Since they wanted to live their golden years at the beach with a spectacular oceanfront view, in 2018 they moved to North Myrtle Beach and shared that view until Dean’s passing in 2022. Loretta said the song “I Will Love You All My Life,” written by Charlie Landsborough, made her think of him, because “that’s exactly what he did – I never doubted it.”

Before retirement and while raising their children, Loretta held a variety of jobs, including county clerk, real estate agent, travel agent and turkey farmer, but saw her most important role as mother to her children.

She loved spending time with friends and family. She was never happier than when she had a houseful of people. For many years, she and Dean hosted the fondly remembered “Orphans” Christmas Eve party.

An accomplished writer and avid reader, Loretta adored poetry and could quote favorite lines from memory. She also enjoyed music and would sing lyrics under her breath. She spent hours surfing music on YouTube, including traditional country, Irish singers, pop favorites and older songs she recalled from her youth. “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits picked up her spirits and never failed to get a smile from her, while “Brooklyn Roads” and “I Am…I Said” by Neil Diamond touched her heart and stirred poignant memories.

As she was very fond of game shows, when she came to the assisted living she excelled at trivia – and was competitive about it! She and Dean were well traveled, but it was small moments on those trips she treasured, like seeing her brother-in-law John dance on a cruise, feeding the little birds at a rest stop in the Valley of Fire, or watching the relaxed fishermen on the pier at Cedar Key: “none seemed terribly concerned about catching anything…there’s the most fantastic breeze blowing in and it keeps the sun from being too fierce.”

Here is a clip from one of her favorite poems, “Red Geraniums” by Martha Haskell Clark:

I’ll set my heart at rest,

And thank God for home-sweet things, a green and friendly hill

And red geraniums aflame upon my window sill.

She is survived by her three children, Scott Hill, Chris Hill and Cindy Hill Schoeppner, as well as the respective spouses of Chris Hill and Scott Hill, Angie Hill and Joey Hill; four grandchildren, Reece Hill (wife Jessica Hill), Rachel Howe (husband Dylan Howe), Dean LeBatard and Nicholas Schoeppner (husband Hunter Safrit); and two great-grandchildren, Jackson Hill and Hallie Hill, son and daughter of Reece and Jessica Hill.

She is also survived by two siblings: Renay Moore and Vicki Pope.

A service will not be held, but those who wish to remember Loretta with gatherings to celebrate her life are encouraged to do so. The family asks for no flowers, but all are welcome to donate to their preferred charity or church.

We offer special thanks to The Legacy of North Myrtle Beach and Amedisys Hospice Care, both of which provided exceptional and invaluable care to Loretta during her final weeks with us all.