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[First Page] IN REMEMBRANCE Fannie Ezelle Hill Fannie Ezelle Hill, the daughter of Bishop William Decker and Winifred Johnson, was born in Americus, Georgia. Spent her early years and completed her elementary education in rural Georgia, mainly in the small community of Archery, near Plains, Georgia. She completed high school and later college at Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas, graduating Magana Cum Laude with a degree in Mathematics. She taught in public and church schools in Georgia, Mississippi and Oklahoma. During her teaching tenure, she met and married Benjamin Harrison Hill, himself a teacher, and subsequently a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a two-term member of the Oklahoma State Legislature. Fannie began her Christian service at an early age, teaching Sunday class at the age of eight. Through the years she held various positions in A.M.E. Church organizations, including class leader, parliamentarian, historian, church Steward and Sunday School pianist. In later years, her Christian service included official positions in such interdenominational and ecumenical activities as the Jews (1954-1975, Church Women United for both the city of Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma and Interdenominational Pastor's Wives of Tulsa. She was a life member of the Women's Missionary Society. She also served as Director of Christian Education for the 12th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church for a number of years. She was on the staff of the Tulsa office of the Retired and Senior Volunteers Program from its inception in 1917, as Associate Director, until she retired in 1999. She was a charter member of the Tulsa Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Throughout her life in Oklahoma she active in community and civic affairs. She received numerous awards and commendations, one of which characterized her as a "quiet crusader for racial equality in all settlings". She was active in the Jimmy Carter campaign for the presidency and attended the inauguration ceremonies as a platform guest. She remained active in the Democratic party, supporting the successful campaigns of Oklahoma Governors David Boren, David Hall, and George Nigh, United States congressman James R. Jones, as well as other state and local officials. In 1970, she was appointed to the first of a succession of one-year terms on the Tulsa Council on Aging. In 1986, she was appointed to a four-year term on the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery and was reappointed for a seven-year term ending June 1991. During this period, from July 1986 through June 1987, she served a term as the sixth Board chairperson. She was a mayor's appointee to the Tulsa the Status of Women committee under three Oklahoma Governors. She also served as a board member for the Moton Health Center and for the Salvation Army's Mabee Center. An important highlight of her life was the seemingly inexhaustible capacity to love and care for children. Many of these beloved children, ranging from infants to teenagers, lived with her as her very own. Although several were relatives or godchildren, many others were from families in her church or community who she believed would benefit from the caring love of a mentor, guardian or foster mother. This involvement continued through virtually all of her life such that some beneficiaries of her love are now senior citizens. Her interests and hobbies included music, travel, collecting dolls, and being a friend to people from all walks of life. Her lifetime credo was: "Do all the good I can, for all the people I can, wherever I can, as often as I can, for as long as I can." She leaves behind to cherish her memory her son George and wife Norma of Columbia, Maryland, grandsons Gregory (Jody) of Roseville, California, Jonathan (Kerry) and great-grandsons Max Immanuel and Porter Ezekiel of Columbia, Maryland along with many cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of friends and caregivers. [Second Page] Order of Service Officiating Reverend Michelle K.T. Moulden Senior Pastor Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church Tulsa, Oklahoma Music for Meditation Ms. Fred Freeman, Organist Ms. Norma Dennie Leshie, Pianist "Abide With Me" Processional "I Trust In God" Hymn Vernon A.M.E Church Choir Prayer Reverend Clarence V. Boyd, Jr. Pastor, Revelations Revealed Truth Evangelistic Center Old Testament Scripture The Reverend Dennis J. Hampton Presiding Elder, Muskogee District, A.M.E. Church New Testament Scripture The Reverend W.T. Brown Pastor, Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, Muskogee "My Task" Solo Mr. Fred Freeman Minister of Music, Vernon A.M.E. Church Resolutions "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" Solo Miss. Latoya Tillis Niece of Fannie Ezelle Hill Words of Tribute Mr. Earl Tuers-Retired Senior Volunteer Program Mrs. Betty Price-Oklahoma Arts Council Mr. Rodger Randle-Former Mayor of Tulsa Mrs. Modzelle S. Lewis-Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Mrs. Eddie Faye Gates-Author Sis. Birdie Boyd-Women's Missionary Society On Behalf of the Family- "The Last Mile of the Way" Solo Pastor Moulden Eulogistic Message The Reverend Clarence V. Boyd, Sr. Presiding Elder Hot Springs District, A.M.E. Church Recessional Parting View Jack's Memory Chapel
