Betty J. Hill

Mrs. Betty J. Hill, 78, died Sunday, June 19, 2005 in Gulfport. She was born October 1, 1926 in Vaiden, MS and had been a resident of Gulfport since 1954. She attended Millsaps College in Jackson and graduated as Salutatorian with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Physics. She was the co-founder and co-owner of J. J. Hill Brace and Limb Company in Gulfport where she worked as an Orthotist until she retired in 1993. Betty also taught Sunday School and was a member of Gulf Gardens Baptist Church. Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry J. Hill; her parents, Charles Upton and Thelma June Turner Canon. She is survived by one daughter, Randye Hill Murdock and husband, Jay, of Gulfport; three sons, Christopher C. Hill, Jerry Hill, Jr. and wife, Wendi, all of Gulfport; and Lawrence A. Hill and wife, Cindy, of Pass Christian; seven granddaughters, Rachel Everhart, Natalie Gunn, Michelle Hill, Dawn Hill Sykes, Amber Hill Beatty, Kara Hill, and Kalyn Hill; one step-granddaughter, Breanne Murdock; and five great-granddaughters. Betty was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She touched the lives of many and will be truly missed. The service will be Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 6 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, where friends may visit from 5 until 7 p.m. Interment will be private at Biloxi National Cemetery. The family prefers memorials to WRANPS, P. O. Box 209, Long Beach, MS 39560, or the Humane Society of South Mississippi-SPCA, 13756 Washington Ave., Gulfport, MS 39503.