Graveside services will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, October 3, 2020, at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl.
She was born November 11, 1933, in the Thomastown Community of Leake County, Mississippi, the eldest child of Victor Lacey and Earline Skinner Lacey.
Hiltara was more than the traditional preacher’s wife of Rev. John W. Culpepper and his ministry to the Lord and His will. Their ministry began in the 1950’s and over the years they served at Pentecostal churches in Thomastown and Richland, MS. Together they shared over 55 years of unity in marriage and helped communities through their ministerial work until John’s passing in 2008. Hiltara wanted to make sure she was in Heaven to celebrate John Wade’s birthday on October 1st.
Mrs. Culpepper retired from Crawford and Company Insurance Adjustors after more than 37 years of dedicated service, where she held the record of typing 90 words per minute.
Hiltara had a long life and she found her love in being a wife, mother and grandmother. She was a person that taught so much from living through the depression and World War II and many more decades and world events. The City of Richland was where they lived, raised their daughter and shared in memories of joy. The Lord was always with her to restore the soul and lead her to paths of righteousness.
Throughout her life Mrs. Culpepper’s heart was one of service to others and saving money with coupons for the whole family and friends. As the oldest of six children she helped to care for and devote time to her younger siblings. She delighted in caring for her husband, daughter, and grandchildren, lovingly preparing Sunday meals to gather her family and friends. Also, she enjoyed watching the grandchildren playing sports in the sunlight and breeze. She was there to see her great grandchildren and always wanted hugs and a tight squeeze. Even in her later years she joyfully helped other residents of her assisted living.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Reba Ann Lacey. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Dorinda Holeman and husband Timothy “Bo”; grandchildren, Dexter Holeman and wife Megan, and Derek Holeman and wife Jessica; great-grandchildren, Kaylee Holeman, Caleb Holeman, Manning Holeman, and McKinley Holeman; sisters, Martha Lynn Mowdy, Margaret Baggett, and Joyce Crawley; brother, Gary Lacey and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at Plainview Assisted Living for the numerous acts of kindness and loving care they provided Mrs. Culpepper.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Wake Forest United Pentecostal Church, 8584 Hwy 429, Kosciusko, MS 39090.
