Mottie Larue Hill, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the age of 95. She was a special person to all those who came in contact with her, with a servant’s heart, a generous spirit, and an unconditional love for others. To know Larue was to know someone who put others first, who gave freely of herself, and who found joy in making life a little better for the people around her.
She was born on March 21, 1931, to Elton and Odell Dowdy Mooneyhan. On May 15, 1948, Larue married Charles Hill, the love of her life and her partner through many years of marriage. Charles preceded her in death in February 1993. Together, they built a family and a life grounded in love, faith, hard work, and devotion to those they held dear.
She leaves behind a family who will carry her memory forward: her son, Keith Hill, two daughters, Betty Hill Grisham (Gary), Nellie Hill Robbins (Lynn), her grandchildren, Nathan Robbins (Abigail), Jessica Robbins Lynch (Jay), Laura Beth Faust (Will) and Hayden Hill Lorick (Cody); and her great-grandchildren, Landon Faust, Jude Faust, Addie Faust, Jett Lorick, Newt Lorick, Nora Lynch, Jame Lynch, Charlie Robbins and Alayna Lorick.
She is also survived by her sisters, Dorothy Dowdy, Patricia Horton and Bobbie Whitehead, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members and special friends whose lives were made richer because Larue was part of them.
In addition to her beloved husband, Charles Melvin Hill, she was preceded in death by her parents, Elton and Odell Dowdy Mooneyhan, and her brothers, Leighton, Boyce, Joe and Cecil Mooneyhan.
Her home was a place where love could be seen as soon as you came in the front door or from the road with the abundance of flowers of all colors that was a true passion. She took great pleasure and often shared them with in tending to the flowers and often shared them with others. She was an excellent seamstress and found joy in quilting and crochet, always ready to share both her talents and the things she created with her own hands. She never thought her creations were anything special but those that were able to have something she made, took pride in having something made by Nana.
And then there was her cooking.
No church gathering, family reunion, or benefit for others seemed complete without something made by Mrs. Larue. Her homemade coconut cake was her specialty because she cooked it from scratch with more love than you can imagine. She wanted you to know that was her way of sharing her love, “Just a little something”.
Larue’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church for 80 years. She seldom missed a service, and the church always had a special place in her heart and life.
She began a career in the education system at Hurricane High School and later continued her work at North Pontotoc, dedicating 42 years of her life to serving children. She eventually retired at the age of 80, bringing to a close a career marked by dedication and service.
Larue learned the meaning of responsibility and sacrifice at an early age. She attended Hurricane High School, and was a great basketball player. However, when her mother passed away at the young age of 15, she quit school to devote her life to help her father care for their family and seven siblings. Those years shaped the woman she would become. Long before she was a mother, grandmother, and caregiver to so many, she had already learned the importance of putting the needs of others before her own.
Through her long medical journey, Larue taught those around her lessons about patience and how to live bravely, even when life was difficult. She never stopped encouraging those around her, and will always be remembered for her love of putting others first.
Larue will be escorted to her final resting place by Will Faust, Landon Faust, Cody Lorick, Jay Lynch, Jude Faust, Nathan Robbins, Wilbur Hill and Zane Hale.
Nana gave the world something that cannot be measured. She taught those who knew her that love is an action and generosity is a choice. Faith will carry you through difficult roads. She might not kbnow what challenge you were facing, but she knew how to help guide you through. Her prayers, faith and love that she poured into others were gifts that will continue to live on. The stories that will continue to be told about Aunt Rue and the memories shared with others will all be part of the legacy that she leaves behind. Her life was a true testament to living for the Lord and sharing that in all ways possible with everyone she came in contact with and she will be deeply missed.
Services for Mrs. Larue Hill will be a visitation held at Browning Funeral Home, Tuesday, September 15, from 5 to 8 P.M. There will also be visitation on Wednesday, September 16, from 12 noon to 1 P.M. with a Celebration of Life Service at Shady Grove Baptist Church at 1 P.M.
