Bessie Hill

Bessie “Pat” Hill was born June 26, 1937, to the late Emmett Fleming and Mamie Brandon in Madison County, Alabama where she was born and raised. Bessie was the second of  nine siblings. Bessie attended high school in Madison County, Alabama and moved to Chicago at age 17 where she met her husband, Walter Hill at Church, later having two sons; Cornell Hill and Walter Hill Jr.

Bessie accepted Christ at an early age. After starting her family in her earlier years, Bessie worked as a Cosmotoligist, doing nails and feet at a beauty shop. In her later years, up until the age of 81, Bessie worked as a Home Care Aid where she cared for many people. To say the least, there is simply not enough words to sum up this amazing woman and all that she has done and accomplished.

Bessie was a woman of many talents and was blessed with a gift of cooking her favorite southern foods and baking delicious desserts. In her spare time, not only was she great in the kitchen, but she also crocheted/sewed, shopped till she dropped, painted/arts and craft and was a servant of the Lord. Whenever she felt a need to help others, she would do anything she could to help. 

Bessie ushered and served the Lord at many churches. During her adult life in Chicago, Bessie attended Cathedral of Love Baptist, Gospel Truth Baptist, Lilydale Progressive Baptist Church, Third Baptist, and current church home, Progressive Beulah Pentecostal. Bessie was a woman of many organizations which are as follows; Member of Unit Church Ushers League INC, Former Chairman of C.H Jones Education Department, Scholarship Chairman, Ways and Means Department Chairman, and George T. Grier School of Ushering chairmen. Founding member of the Ushers Place Uniform Store. Member of the Unit Usher League Chicago Zone, past president and member of Unit Usher League south end zone, member of National United Church Ushers Association of America, Attended the Ushers National and State Convention for over 30 years, Crowned Queen of the IL State Ushers 2020-2022..…and many more. 

Bessie loved all her family and friends and had a loving personality like no other. No matter the task, no matter the care needed, she was always there. Bessie, as we know as a strong independent queen was loved by others and loved others just as much. Bessie enjoyed serving her people and nourishing her family. Her legacy will forever live on.

On Sunday, September 3, 2023 GOD called Bessie ”Pat” home at the age of 86. Preceding her in death, her husband, Walter Hill Sr., two sons, Cornell Hill (Joanne) and Walter Hill Jr. (Carolyn); her sister, Graceann Fleming; her brothers, John and Sonny Fleming.

Bessie leaves to cherish her three sisters, Martha, Tony, and Lily Fleming; twin brothers, Dillard (Elaine) and Lillard (Kandice) Fleming; loving granddaughters; Kimyatta, Dionna, and Jennifer; four great granddaughters, Ky’Reonna, London, Ay’Shauna, Lauryn and a host of family and friends.

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