Helen Dorothy Hill

Helen Dorothy Hill, 92, a longtime resident of Muskogee, passed away early Friday morning. She was born April 6, 1921 in Tahlequah to Andrew Fritts and Jane (Hicks) Fritts. She grew up and attended public schools in Tahlequah and graduated from Bagley High School with the class of 1939. After high school, Helen furthered her education attending Northeastern State University, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and later receiving her Master’s Degree. Her first teaching job was in a one-room schoolhouse near Grove, Oklahoma and she lived with the principal and his family in their home. Her teaching career spanned over several decades around all of Northeastern Oklahoma. Many generations of students remember her fondly. She retired from Whittier Elementary in Muskogee, where she taught first grade for over 30 years. Helen enjoyed teaching, tutoring, volunteering with the Muskogee General Hospital Volunteers. In 1984, she became a very active member of the Alpha Theta Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority. Helen married the love of her life, George Turner Hill, August 15, 1942 in Abiliene, Texas. George was in the military and they traveled with his job. Later they made their home in Muskogee and were active in the community. She was an active member of Eastern Heights Baptist Church for 65 years, serving as a Sunday School Teacher and working in the Nursery. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George T. Hill in 1969; her brother, Billy Fritts; her step-brothers, Perry Fritts and Dewayne Fritts; and her step-sister, Clara Fritts. Helen is survived by her sons, George L. Hill and wife, Alma of Wentzville, MO, Larry Hill and wife, Lisa of Okmulgee, OK and Mark Hill and wife, Jeanie of Tyler, TX; her grandchildren, Scot Hill and wife, Shann, Julie Kolb and husband, Ken, David Hill and wife, Valorie, Kristin Schrader and husband, David, Josh Hill and wife, Sarah, Zach Hill and Hannah Hill; her step grandchildren, Taylor (Ford) Baker and husband, Blaine, Brooks Ford and Sloane Ford; her great grandchildren, Justin Hill, Wyat Hill, Shane Hill, Nell Littleton, Kaden Kolb, Cooper Kolb, Kiya Kolb, Connor Schrader, and identical twin boys to be born to Josh and Sarah Hill in April of 2014; her step great grandchildren, Reece and Case Baker; her brother, Bob Fritts of Tahlequah; her sister, Lois Craig and husband, Kenneth of Muskogee; her half-brother, L.C. Fritts and wife, Barbara of Tahlequah; many nieces, nephews and numerous other members of the family, including special friends, Flora Murphy and Bonnie Tedford. A family visitation will be Monday, December 23, 2013 at Cornerstone Funeral Home from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Many members of Helen’s family will be at the funeral home to receive friends and acquaintances that wish to come and visit. Funeral services for Helen will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at Eastern Heights Baptist Church with Brother Jeff Mann officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Scot Hill, Josh Hill, Zach Hill, Ken Kolb, David Hill and David Schrader. Honorary pallbearers will be her special friends, Kenneth Craig, Jack Sheets, Bob Fritts, Diane and Fred Finley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastern Heights Baptist Church for the “Kids Backpack Program.” The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Hometown Hospice for their kindness and care they extended during Helen’s illness. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home, 1830 North York Street, Muskogee. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com.

Helen Dorothy Hill

April 6, 1921 - December 20, 2013