Betty Jean Hill

A Celebration of Life Ms. Betty Jean Hill will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM at

C. P. Bannon Mortuary, 6800 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94621.

Betty was born October 20,1942, at Shreveport Charity Hospital in Plain Dealing, Louisiana, to Mrs. Bernice and Mr. Eddie White. She grew up to become a beautiful, charismatic, strong-willed, ambitious, loving person who did not hesitate to speak her mind. She earned her high school education at Jim Hill High in Jackson, Mississippi, where she met her best friend of 68 years, her bonus sister, Mrs. Lula Estes.

Under the guidance of her Mother Bernice known to us as “Madea,” she accepted Christ as her Lord

and Savior at an early age in fellowship with Pilgrim Baptist Church. After the passing of her mother

in 2006, she became a member of Greater Miracle Temple under the leadership of Bishop Grady L. Harris

of Oakland, CA.

She met Charles Griffin in Jackson, Mississippi to this union on August 26, 1958, was born her first child

bouncing baby boy, Anthony Charles Ratliff Later, she met David McBride to this union was born spunky

daughter, Charolette Rene McBride.

Sometime later, Betty and her two children moved to Oakland,California, where she met and married Richard Henry Hill. To this union, on August 9, 1969, was born a beautiful baby girl, Lisa Michele Hill. She was honored to be a wife, a proud and loving mother of her family!

She worked at Associate Cab Company in Oakland as a Dispatcher for ten years. Later, she gave

fifty-plus years of service in the TeleCom industry. She worked at Tell-Us Communication Company

as a Telecommunications Operator, a supervisor, and a manager until the closure of this company. She

continued in the same industry at AB Communications in Novato, California, until she retired.

She enjoyed domino cards and other games with her family. She loved shopping, vacations, and her

favorite thing to do was go to the casinos. She was a person who knew what she wanted, would go

after it, and was sure to make it happen! Another one of her great passions in life was Bowling.

She loved the competitive atmosphere of being on the lanes. She went all over the state competing in different championships, winning many titles, trophies, and even money. She competed in many leagues between 1979-1999, some including ABC, WBA, and the WIBC champion mixer league. Whenever she did well at things, she would say, “Damn, I’m Good!”

She had a big heart and loved to help people in need. Everyone who met her loved her. She would use

her resources to help anyone; all she demanded in return was respect. She was constantly there in every

way. She gave her all to be the greatest person she could be, loving us even at our worst and inspiring us to be our best! She felt it was her obligation to make sure everyone was good! She loved unconditionally,

accustomed to being “the Helper” but finding it hard to accept help herself. She was the one anyone could

count on in need!

She lived in Oakland, California, until she moved to Pittsburg, California, around 2016. A few years ago,

she started to experience problems with her health. Her daughter Lisa, whom she also called “Babygirl,”

stepped up and became the “Helper” to her! She fought her best fight, but it became too much. On

September 13, 2025, from her Heavenly Father, she was given her wings and God raptured her home!

Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord! (2 Corinthians 5:8)

Proceeding her in death: her Mother, Bernice K. White “Madea,” Father Eddie White, brother Llyod White,

bonus brother Kenneth Estes, two sisters, Carol Lynn and Juanita Ratliff, nieces Latasha and Rochelle

Ratliff, Great-granddaughter Anntinique Calton, Great-grandson Judah Ary, Great-nephew Jabree Harris,

and Great-niece Nicole Price.

Celebrating the legacy of her life: son Anthony Charles Ratliff, daughters Charolette Rene McBride and Lisa Michele Hill-Bowie. Her sister Shirley Ratliff, bonus sister Lula Estes, brothers MJ Ratliff and Eddie White Jr., Sister-in-law Dorris White, Son-in-law Robert Bowie, Daughter-in-law Roslyn Ratliff. Granddaughters, Lashawna Baker, Laila Bowie, Feleicia Knuckles, Myracle McBride, bonus granddaughter Ethel Baker, Roselyn Ratliff, Tamisha Hill, and Myiesha Green. Grandsons, Frank Baker, JaVonte Baker, RaShaud Bowie, Anthony Calton-Ratliff, and James Belton.

A host of great-grandchildren, bonus daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. All will remember Betty Jean Hill as an exceptional Matriarch!

To know her was to love her! She was greatly loved, highly respected, and will never be forgotten!

May her soul Rest in Peace!