Mary Frances Deer Hill, 93, of Mobile, died peacefully at home Saturday, February 20, 2021. Born in Mobile December 13, 1927 to Martha Louise McCrory Deer and Eugene Angus Deer. Mary attended Leinkauf Elementary, Barton Academy, and was a 1945 graduate of Murphy High School. She attended University of Alabama and Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
In 1949 she married her childhood sweetheart, John Jeptha “Jep” Hill, to whom she was married for 70 years until his death. During her lifetime, Mrs. Hill was active in the Junior League of Mobile; Mobile Bar Auxiliary (past president); Mardi Gras mystic societies; was a Sunday school teacher at Government Street Presbyterian Church and Spring Hill Baptist Church; sang with the JLM Jubilee Singers; and was a Pink Lady volunteer at Springhill Memorial Hospital.
Her competitive nature was exhibited on the tennis courts of Country Club of Mobile and Mobile Tennis Center. She enjoyed playing bridge; her lunch groups: the Murphy Alum lunch group, “The Lunch Bunch”, and “The Sewing Club” (which has met every other week for over 55 years).
Among her professional endeavors, Mrs Hill was a local realtor, first with Pope & Quint, then Roberts Brothers. After retirement, she and Jep joined several Mobilians to found Downtown Fellowship, an inner city mission church. She deeply loved the congregants of DF and it’s ministry. She and Jep were active there until aged 90 when they were no longer able.
In her last years, Mary enjoyed activities and new friendships at their last home, University Oaks, where she enthusiastically savored live musical performances.
Often referred to as “a walking hug”, Mary was known for her wide open smile, arms and heart, cheerful words of encouragement and ready gratitude. A trusted confidante, she exuded the warmth and love of the Lord who was central to her Christian faith.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jep; sister Jean Deer Parker and other relatives.
She is survived by her children Jep Hill (Martha); Ashton Hill (Michele) Debra Blackburn (Dan); David Hill (Jennifer) of Kansas City, KS; grandchildren Jess Hory (Sam), Mary Ella Aparo (Sam) of Atlanta; Jep Hill (Corinna); Allison Snelling (Andrew); Katherine Hill; Grant Blackburn (Laura); Mary McCrory Blackburn; Michael Hill (Leyann) of Kansas City; Nathan Hill of Colorado Springs; Daniel Hill of Fort Collins, CO.; great grandchildren Kaki Hory, Sam Hory, J.B. Blackburn, Evie Blackburn, Andy Snelling and Elizabeth Hill; and other relatives.
Services will be held Saturday, February 27th at Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL. 36606. Visitation from 11:00 to 12:45 preceding 1:00 service at the Radney chapel; burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a gift to a local charity, especially one serving individuals in need such as Wings of Life, Home of Grace For Women, Waterfront Mission, Penelope House, Feeding the Gulf Coast, or one of your choosing.
The family wishes to thank Mrs. Hill’s recent care team for their loving and diligent service: Yvonne Jack, Cynthia Choice, Cynthia Tabb, and Sonya Brown; Dr Ann Shaver and Ellen Nettles; the community at University Oaks; and Comfort Care Hospice.
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