Bessie M. Hill

Bessie M. Myers Hill was born on September 4, 1927, in Wharton County, Texas. She accepted Christ at a very young age and joined Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Spanish Camp, TX. Bessie’s favorite pastimes were singing, dancing, styling hair, and spending time with her family.

Bessie was born between two of her aunts, Essie and Irene, and the three of them were inseparable—sharing everything and loving each other like sisters. She graduated at the age of 16 and moved to Houston to attend Franklin School of Beauty Culture. After becoming a licensed beautician, she joined the Texas State Association of Beauty Culturists, where she remained a member until her retirement.

Bessie was first married to Alfred Gregg, with whom she had two children. She later married Sammy Lee Hill, and together they had five more children.

Throughout the years, Bessie served faithfully as a Deaconess and Trustee’s Wife, an Adult Choir member, a kitchen helper, and a Sunday School teacher. She had a giving and compassionate heart; whatever she had, she wanted to share with others. As a Sunday School teacher, she always brought a snack—whether it was her homemade jelly, preserves, tamales, or fresh fruit from her trees.

The late Pastor Branch often visited her home to enjoy her homegrown and homemade foods, and sometimes he would simply pick fruit straight from her trees. Bessie also had a green thumb and frequently shared plants and flowers from her yard with others.

Bessie and Sammy never failed to bring their children to church, and the family actively participated in all church activities. She was devoted to her husband and children, watching over them like a lion protecting its cubs. She was present for every church and school event. She taught her children to fear God but to fear no man. She taught them to pray and to forgive their enemies. She often said, “Never let the devil steal your joy. God only gives you one day at a time, so when you let someone make you angry or sad, you have let them steal your joy.”

Bessie loved to cook, and the moment you walked through her door, she would ask, “Are you hungry?” There was always food on the stove and laughter in the home. She made sure everyone who entered her house felt safe, welcomed, and loved.

In her later years, her children insisted on celebrating her with a yearly birthday party, even though she didn’t want one. To them, each year was a precious milestone, and they were grateful that God allowed her to live so long. On her 90th birthday, she was lovingly dubbed “The Queen of Hearts” because of her gentle spirit and her belief that “everyone deserves to be loved.”

Bessie will be remembered by the many lives she touched. She shared the love of Christ with anyone who would listen. She spent countless hours encouraging and mentoring members of St. John—especially the late Howard Hicks, whom she “loved dearly.” He referred to her as his “other mother,” and she lovingly called him her “son.”

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, Stonewall Jefferson and Clara Owens-Jefferson; her husband of 54 years, Sammy Lee Hill; her son, Billy Ray Gregg, Sr. (Mary); two daughters, Norma F. Gregg-Roberts and Brenda D. Hill-Marcee; and her grandson, Niven Dean Morgan.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Sammy J. Hill (Esther) of Spring, TX; Jerry W. Hill of Corpus Christi, TX; Darrell G. Hill (Mary) of DeSoto, TX; Sharon L. Hill-Perridon (Charles) of Missouri City, TX.

Grandchildren: Doreen Gregg-Reed of Fort Worth, TX; Stephanie Elzy-Scott of Michigan; Sammy M. Hill of Spring, TX; Barrencia Marcee-Woods (Darren) of Missouri City, TX; Jamie Gregg of Fort Worth, TX; Tamara Hill of Houston, TX; Eldrige Hill of Spring, TX; Barren Marcee III of Missouri City, TX; Jerrica Jackson-Miller (Cleveland) of Corpus Christi, TX; Jennifer Gregg-Garcia (Carlos) of San Antonio, TX; Billy R. Gregg, Jr. (Yemi) of Corpus Christi, TX; Summer Hill-Boyd (Chad) of Houston, TX; Elizabeth Gregg of Corpus Christi, TX; Darrell D. Hill of Fort Worth, TX; and Jordan X. Garrett of Houston, TX.

Great-Grandchildren: Stonewall Reid; Kaila A. Scott; William A. Scott Jr.; Ashley Jefferson; Alexis Jefferson; Niven Dean Morgan Jr.; Darren Woods Jr.; Erika Hill; Sammy J. Hill; Christian Hill; Jayla Beasley; Danielle Beasley; Kayla Woods; Darian Hill; Ariana Garcia; Adrian Gregg; Lorenzo Gregg; Kii Scott; Courtney J. Hill; Jaden Sterling; Devin Woods; Alessandra Garcia; Abigail Gregg; India Boyd; and others.

Great-Great-Grandchildren: James Howze; Em’marie Hill; Elijah Hill; Cayden Hill; Kian Hill; Amari Reid; Daniyah Goss.

She also leaves behind a host of cousins, relatives, and friends who loved her dearly.