Jane F Hill

Jane Fell Hill, beloved mother, Nana, sister-in law, aunt, cousin and friend went to her eternal home on Saturday, September 12, 2026. She was born December 4, 1931 in Wilmington, Delaware to Dr. Harvey Louis and Harriet Talley Fell and had two brothers (Harvey Louis, Fell Jr. and Robert Allyn Fell). Her father was a veterinarian, and the Fell household was full of multiple cats and dogs, various other pets and even a monkey for a short while. Jane and her brothers were also avid horse riders and known for engaging in kind-hearted mischief. Jane attended Southern Seminary in Buena Vista, Virginia, earning an associate’s degree in pre-school education. During the spring of her first year, she was set up on a blind date with a boy from Washington & Lee University for his fraternity’s spring fling. Although the first date started out a little rocky (she showed up with her two brothers in tow), there was a second date and by the third date they both knew they were in it for the long haul. Harold and Jane married on August 16, 1952 and moved to Havre de Grace, Maryland shortly after while Harold was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Jane gave birth to their first son, Ward, in Maryland. After two years, the Hills moved to Atlanta, Georgia for Harold to attend law school at Emory University. Their second son, Douglas, was born the day after he finished the Bar examination and a daughter, Nancy, was born several years later. Jane raised their children and supported Harold in his legal career which included private practice, work for the Georgia Attorney General’s office, and as a justice on the Supreme Court of Georgia, where he retired as Chief Justice in 1986.

Jane worked outside of the home as a preschool teacher at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church for many years, where the family were members. She loved seeing her students grow into youth singing in the choir or as adults bringing their own children to the church for pre-school and Sunday School. Jane was very involved at Peachtree Road UMC serving as a Sunday School teacher, singing in the Chancel and Parish choirs, serving on the Alter Guild, Sanctuary Guild and Funeral Memorial Guild, and volunteering with the Christmas Kindness program. More recently she was an active member of the United Methodist Women, the Timothy Sunday School class, Seasoned Saints – where bingo was a favorite pastime – and served as a volunteer docent at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion.

Jane loved Christmas but would never decorate until the Friday after Thanksgiving and kept her tree up until the 12th day after Christmas. However, her favorite tree – one decorated entirely with cat ornaments and a black Labrador angel atop – stayed up year-round. During this holiday season, she would wear Christmas sweaters, socks, jewelry and sometimes a hat or antlers to show her love for the season every day. A longtime family tradition was to make Sandtart Christmas cookies. The recipe was handed down from her mother to Jane and now to daughter Nancy and her children. It was always a highlight of the season to gather in the kitchen playing Christmas music, wearing Christmas t-shirts and decorating these very special cookies.

In addition to her love of Christmas, Mrs. Hill enjoyed traveling the world experiencing new adventures and cultures. Some of her favorite experiences included watching the Iditarod in Alaska, riding a camel in the Middle East and singing in Rome with her church choir at Saint Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican.

She was also known for her love of dragonflies. Her son Ward passed away in 1987. Although they never met, her granddaughter Talley, age 7 at the time, noticed a dragonfly fliting about and even landing on her shirt. She said, “I think that is Uncle Ward coming to check me out”. A few days later, perhaps the same dragonfly once again landed on her shirt, to which she commented “he must have liked what he saw”. After that, Jane never left the house without wearing at least one dragonfly (well – except at Christmas).

She and Harold shared a home in Sandy Springs from 1965 until his death in 2010. She continued to live there until 2019 when she moved to Mt. Vernon Towers. There she enjoyed spending time with friends from church and many new friends where they gathered often at the puzzle table.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband Harold Nelson Hill Jr., son Ward Nelson Hill, her parents and her two brothers. Jane is survived by her children Douglas Allyn Hill (Kim), Kennesaw, GA; Nancy Pierce Mills, Chamblee, GA; grandchildren Talley Elizabeth Mills, Seattle, WA; Andrew Nelson Mills, Sandy Springs, GA, her brother-in law Robert Geeslin Hill, Atlanta, GA and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She also has countless children who she taught and watched grow-up at Peachtree Road UMC, special neighborhood children and five grand-cats.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Peachtree Road UMC Friends of Music or Christmas Kindness.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, September 15, 2026 from 6 to 8 o’clock at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. A memorial service will be Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 2 o’clock at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30305.