Sister Hill Is Gone
Some of the most challenging, dramatic, and interesting stories in the Bible are about women of God. A few of them are Eve, Sarah, Jochebed, Hannah, Mary, Dorcas, Priscilla and Phebe. Were the Bible being written now, stories of some of the women of God I have known and some that I know would likely be included in its sacred pages. One of them is Mrs. A. R. (Ferrell K.) Hill. From the beginning of The World Evangelist in 1972 sister Hill wrote the column Unto You Young Women. She died May 20, 1982, at her home in Florence, Alabama. She is survived by her husband, A.R. Hill, a gospel preacher; a son Albert, a gospel preacher; a daughter, Jolley (Mrs. Henry) Pryor; a grandson, Timothy Hill; a granddaughter, Dee (Mrs. Timothy) Beck; and a foster granddaughter, Viki Johnston who has two children, Jace and Rusty. Albert and his wife, Reba live in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Timothy and Dee are their children. Jolley and her husband, Henry, live in McMinnville, Tennessee. A. R. and Ferrell had a son, Billy, who died four years ago. Brother Norman (Sonny) Hargett and I spoke at sister Hill's funeral in the meeting house of Darby Drive Church of Christ in Florence, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 23. Brother Hargett is the preacher for the Macedonia Church of Christ near Florence where brother and sister Hill have been teachers for a number of years. It was my pleasure to give sister Hill some "flowers" while she could smell them by writing a story about her and brother Hill which appeared in the January 1980 edition of The World Evangelist.
MARRIAGE AND EARLY LIFE
Brother and sister Hill were married in 1922. She was Ferrell Kirby. She was born October 18,1901 in Montgomery County, Alabama to H. R. and Georgia Tobias Kirby. Sister Hill's mother, the former Georgia Tbbias attended Highland Home College that was located a short distance south of Montgomery, Alabama. That college was founded by J.M. Barnes. He was President of the college. He was graduated from Bethany College founded by Alexander Campbell and of which he was President many years. Brother Barnes entered Bethany College in 1854. While he was in school there, Alexander Campbell was President of the college and its principal teacher. J. M. Barnes did for the South Alabama area what T. B. Larimore did for the North Alabama area. Larimore founded Mars Hill College in Florence in 1811 and operated it seventeen years. Barnes served in the South Alabama area as did David Lipscomb in Middle Tennessee, and as did the inimitable Benjamin Franklin north of the Ohio River. Samuel Jordan was a teacher at Highland Home College. He baptized sister Ferrell Kirby who became Mrs. A. R. Hill. She had childhood memories of both brother Barnes and brother Jordan as guests in the Kirby home. On one occasion when sister Ferrell was quite small, five or six years of age, she knew brother Barnes was coming to her house, so she was wearing a brand new dress for the occasion! She was prancing in front of the fireplace and got that new dress on fire! Her daddy came in just in time to extinguish the flame, she was not burned. Sister Hill's parents, brother and sister H. R. Kirby helped get the church started in Opp, Ala. They mortgaged their home to buy a building in which the church met at Bay Minette, Ala.
HER WRITINGS
Sister Hill's manuscripts for he column Unto You Young Women were more nearly perfect than any I received. She wrote a popular book entitled: Stories From Dogwood Hill. Two of her books can be ordered from: International Bible College Women, P.O. Box IBC, Florence, Alabama 35630. These two are: Girls. Girls, Girls, and Unto You Young Women: Keepers Of Homes. The proceeds from these two books go to International Bible College and are used in the work of training workers for the Lord and his church. Sister Hill wrote some books which have not been published. Work is being done to get them published. For more than twenty years she wrote Bible lessons for young people that were published in quarterly form by Gospel Advocate Company.
TESTIMONY OF "ADOPTED" GIRLS
Brother and sister Hill did not legally adopt them, but they aided and encouraged two young ladies so that they called them their "adopted" girls. They are Martha and Helen. Martha is now Mr &. Paul Dossett, and Helen is the wife of Wendell Needham a gospel preacher. While sister Hill was very ill, Martha on May 3, 1982 wrote the Hills as follows: "Dear Mama and Papa: My heart is heavy with sorrow for your pain and suffering. All of my friends and yours are praying for you. You may receive some cards from people that you have never known from the Tara congregation or others where we are passing the word through our bulletins and friends. Paul and I attend at Tara now because it is our closest family of God. I continue my work on the V.B.S. series "Go" for them instead of the Old National congregation. They have encouraged me to try to have it published.We hope to be able to do that next year. As I work on it, I think of you every step of the way. Thank you so much for your help on this. You remembered many things that I had completely forgot about. I wish we could have worked together again, but God does not make mistakes and it was not according to His will. "Mother Hill, since I talked with Papa, my memory has gone back to the beginning of our relationship. I remember the days that we used to meet half way between my home and yours and walk together back to yours. I remember your beautiful dolls and the fun we had working on them. I also remember working on the V.B.S. series Go. I remember the ladies class on Tuesday nights. I remember your Bible school on wheels. That was the one of which you said, 'Have Bible, will travel.' "I never had a question that you could not answer. I never asked for help that I did not receive it. I have a scrapbook full of things you sent me from various places where you and Papa worked. I have kept them all and I use your ideas all the time in my work. There are many people that have known you in those days and tell my new friends that you were my teacher when they admire my work. And now, I will do the things you have suggested for my V.B.S. series. "I am working on a flip chart of the life of Peter at present. I will use your outline study for the 5th lesson on Eternal Life. I will make posters to teach the pre-school children just as you suggested. When I have finished, I will tell everyone it has been dedicated to you because a great deal of it would not have been done except for you. I haven't said it very much, probably because words cannot express it very well, but I am so thankful to have known and loved you. You changed the entire structure of my life. "Now, I want to talk a moment about visiting you for a short period of time. You know I love you and want to do what is best for you. If you want to see me, I will take a short vacation and stop by there to see you–but if you feel that it would be better for us to hold on to our beautiful memories and not mar it with the pain and suffering, I can understand that, too. We will meet again. It is God's plan. Please ask Dee to write and let me know or get someone to call me if you need to. I am anxious for any word from you. "May God bless you–now and forever. "I love you, too, Papa and pray Gob's blessings on both of you. Love always, Martha." Following the funeral, brother Hill received a mesrrage from Helen Needham. She said of sister Hill: "I remember her trusting smiles and good will, her enthusiasm, her love for life. She will always live with us in this manner. We love you. I can still see you in the pulpit at Main Street and remember your good lessons. Take care, and we will be praying for you. Love, Helen." I include in this story these items from these two "adopted" daughters of the Hills because what they say shows that not only do her children praise her and call her blessed, but others whose lives she touched loved and admired her.
GOOD BIBLE TEACHER
Only the good Lord knows the tremendous and eternal good sister Hill did as a good Bible teacher. She and Brother Hill attended David Lipscomb College more than sixty years ago, and were taught by H. Leo Boles, E.A. Elam, Dr. J.S. Ward, and other prominent teachers. (J.S. Ward was educated at the College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky, and one of his teachers was J.W. McGarvey.) Sister Hill was very artistic. She did many paintings to depict Bible stories, thus implementing her own visual aids. She taught others how to paint such scenes. Sister Hill did many good works. She was a good speech teacher. Brother Hill told me since the funeral that she helped John Harris, a black brother, develop his speech ability. He is an outstanding evangelist. She helped many preachers in various ways. She and Brother Hill taught at International Bible College in its early years and refused to take pay for their services. As we think of Sister Hill, we are joyfully reminded of, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them," Revelation 14:13. Brother A.R. Hill at age 91 is doing mighty well. He is planning to continue his Bible classes and to preach some. He will be glad to receive messages from the readers of The World Evangelist. Hiss address is: A.R. Hill, Sr., 315 Wright Drive, Florence 7 Alabama 35830. On the day of sister Hill's funeral, I wrote the following about her and read it at the funeral:
With no fanfare or demanding,
Quietly she worked and had her say.
With no out-of-sorts commanding,
She led others to the Way.
Living meekly and with ease
Her life was majestic, a mighty force.
Always seeking her Lord to please,
She let her Pilot chart her course.
In her mind there was work undone
But God's boatman said, "It's time to go."
And into the presence of God's Son
She escaped all earthly woe!
—The World Evangelist, Basil Overton, Volume 10, No.12, July, 1982, pages 1,19.
Some of the most challenging, dramatic, and interesting stories in the Bible are about women of God. A few of them are Eve, Sarah, Jochebed, Hannah, Mary, Dorcas, Priscilla and Phebe. Were the Bible being written now, stories of some of the women of God I have known and some that I know would likely be included in its sacred pages. One of them is Mrs. A. R. (Ferrell K.) Hill. From the beginning of The World Evangelist in 1972 sister Hill wrote the column Unto You Young Women. She died May 20, 1982, at her home in Florence, Alabama. She is survived by her husband, A.R. Hill, a gospel preacher; a son Albert, a gospel preacher; a daughter, Jolley (Mrs. Henry) Pryor; a grandson, Timothy Hill; a granddaughter, Dee (Mrs. Timothy) Beck; and a foster granddaughter, Viki Johnston who has two children, Jace and Rusty. Albert and his wife, Reba live in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Timothy and Dee are their children. Jolley and her husband, Henry, live in McMinnville, Tennessee. A. R. and Ferrell had a son, Billy, who died four years ago. Brother Norman (Sonny) Hargett and I spoke at sister Hill's funeral in the meeting house of Darby Drive Church of Christ in Florence, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 23. Brother Hargett is the preacher for the Macedonia Church of Christ near Florence where brother and sister Hill have been teachers for a number of years. It was my pleasure to give sister Hill some "flowers" while she could smell them by writing a story about her and brother Hill which appeared in the January 1980 edition of The World Evangelist.
MARRIAGE AND EARLY LIFE
Brother and sister Hill were married in 1922. She was Ferrell Kirby. She was born October 18,1901 in Montgomery County, Alabama to H. R. and Georgia Tobias Kirby. Sister Hill's mother, the former Georgia Tbbias attended Highland Home College that was located a short distance south of Montgomery, Alabama. That college was founded by J.M. Barnes. He was President of the college. He was graduated from Bethany College founded by Alexander Campbell and of which he was President many years. Brother Barnes entered Bethany College in 1854. While he was in school there, Alexander Campbell was President of the college and its principal teacher. J. M. Barnes did for the South Alabama area what T. B. Larimore did for the North Alabama area. Larimore founded Mars Hill College in Florence in 1811 and operated it seventeen years. Barnes served in the South Alabama area as did David Lipscomb in Middle Tennessee, and as did the inimitable Benjamin Franklin north of the Ohio River. Samuel Jordan was a teacher at Highland Home College. He baptized sister Ferrell Kirby who became Mrs. A. R. Hill. She had childhood memories of both brother Barnes and brother Jordan as guests in the Kirby home. On one occasion when sister Ferrell was quite small, five or six years of age, she knew brother Barnes was coming to her house, so she was wearing a brand new dress for the occasion! She was prancing in front of the fireplace and got that new dress on fire! Her daddy came in just in time to extinguish the flame, she was not burned. Sister Hill's parents, brother and sister H. R. Kirby helped get the church started in Opp, Ala. They mortgaged their home to buy a building in which the church met at Bay Minette, Ala.
HER WRITINGS
Sister Hill's manuscripts for he column Unto You Young Women were more nearly perfect than any I received. She wrote a popular book entitled: Stories From Dogwood Hill. Two of her books can be ordered from: International Bible College Women, P.O. Box IBC, Florence, Alabama 35630. These two are: Girls. Girls, Girls, and Unto You Young Women: Keepers Of Homes. The proceeds from these two books go to International Bible College and are used in the work of training workers for the Lord and his church. Sister Hill wrote some books which have not been published. Work is being done to get them published. For more than twenty years she wrote Bible lessons for young people that were published in quarterly form by Gospel Advocate Company.
TESTIMONY OF "ADOPTED" GIRLS
Brother and sister Hill did not legally adopt them, but they aided and encouraged two young ladies so that they called them their "adopted" girls. They are Martha and Helen. Martha is now Mr &. Paul Dossett, and Helen is the wife of Wendell Needham a gospel preacher. While sister Hill was very ill, Martha on May 3, 1982 wrote the Hills as follows: "Dear Mama and Papa: My heart is heavy with sorrow for your pain and suffering. All of my friends and yours are praying for you. You may receive some cards from people that you have never known from the Tara congregation or others where we are passing the word through our bulletins and friends. Paul and I attend at Tara now because it is our closest family of God. I continue my work on the V.B.S. series "Go" for them instead of the Old National congregation. They have encouraged me to try to have it published.We hope to be able to do that next year. As I work on it, I think of you every step of the way. Thank you so much for your help on this. You remembered many things that I had completely forgot about. I wish we could have worked together again, but God does not make mistakes and it was not according to His will. "Mother Hill, since I talked with Papa, my memory has gone back to the beginning of our relationship. I remember the days that we used to meet half way between my home and yours and walk together back to yours. I remember your beautiful dolls and the fun we had working on them. I also remember working on the V.B.S. series Go. I remember the ladies class on Tuesday nights. I remember your Bible school on wheels. That was the one of which you said, 'Have Bible, will travel.' "I never had a question that you could not answer. I never asked for help that I did not receive it. I have a scrapbook full of things you sent me from various places where you and Papa worked. I have kept them all and I use your ideas all the time in my work. There are many people that have known you in those days and tell my new friends that you were my teacher when they admire my work. And now, I will do the things you have suggested for my V.B.S. series. "I am working on a flip chart of the life of Peter at present. I will use your outline study for the 5th lesson on Eternal Life. I will make posters to teach the pre-school children just as you suggested. When I have finished, I will tell everyone it has been dedicated to you because a great deal of it would not have been done except for you. I haven't said it very much, probably because words cannot express it very well, but I am so thankful to have known and loved you. You changed the entire structure of my life. "Now, I want to talk a moment about visiting you for a short period of time. You know I love you and want to do what is best for you. If you want to see me, I will take a short vacation and stop by there to see you–but if you feel that it would be better for us to hold on to our beautiful memories and not mar it with the pain and suffering, I can understand that, too. We will meet again. It is God's plan. Please ask Dee to write and let me know or get someone to call me if you need to. I am anxious for any word from you. "May God bless you–now and forever. "I love you, too, Papa and pray Gob's blessings on both of you. Love always, Martha." Following the funeral, brother Hill received a mesrrage from Helen Needham. She said of sister Hill: "I remember her trusting smiles and good will, her enthusiasm, her love for life. She will always live with us in this manner. We love you. I can still see you in the pulpit at Main Street and remember your good lessons. Take care, and we will be praying for you. Love, Helen." I include in this story these items from these two "adopted" daughters of the Hills because what they say shows that not only do her children praise her and call her blessed, but others whose lives she touched loved and admired her.
GOOD BIBLE TEACHER
Only the good Lord knows the tremendous and eternal good sister Hill did as a good Bible teacher. She and Brother Hill attended David Lipscomb College more than sixty years ago, and were taught by H. Leo Boles, E.A. Elam, Dr. J.S. Ward, and other prominent teachers. (J.S. Ward was educated at the College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky, and one of his teachers was J.W. McGarvey.) Sister Hill was very artistic. She did many paintings to depict Bible stories, thus implementing her own visual aids. She taught others how to paint such scenes. Sister Hill did many good works. She was a good speech teacher. Brother Hill told me since the funeral that she helped John Harris, a black brother, develop his speech ability. He is an outstanding evangelist. She helped many preachers in various ways. She and Brother Hill taught at International Bible College in its early years and refused to take pay for their services. As we think of Sister Hill, we are joyfully reminded of, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them," Revelation 14:13. Brother A.R. Hill at age 91 is doing mighty well. He is planning to continue his Bible classes and to preach some. He will be glad to receive messages from the readers of The World Evangelist. Hiss address is: A.R. Hill, Sr., 315 Wright Drive, Florence 7 Alabama 35830. On the day of sister Hill's funeral, I wrote the following about her and read it at the funeral:
With no fanfare or demanding,
Quietly she worked and had her say.
With no out-of-sorts commanding,
She led others to the Way.
Living meekly and with ease
Her life was majestic, a mighty force.
Always seeking her Lord to please,
She let her Pilot chart her course.
In her mind there was work undone
But God's boatman said, "It's time to go."
And into the presence of God's Son
She escaped all earthly woe!
—The World Evangelist, Basil Overton, Volume 10, No.12, July, 1982, pages 1,19.
Sister Hill Is Gone
Some of the most challenging, dramatic, and interesting stories in the Bible are about women of God. A few of them are Eve, Sarah, Jochebed, Hannah, Mary, Dorcas, Priscilla and Phebe. Were the Bible being written now, stories of some of the women of God I have known and some that I know would likely be included in its sacred pages. One of them is Mrs. A. R. (Ferrell K.) Hill. From the beginning of The World Evangelist in 1972 sister Hill wrote the column Unto You Young Women. She died May 20, 1982, at her home in Florence, Alabama. She is survived by her husband, A.R. Hill, a gospel preacher; a son Albert, a gospel preacher; a daughter, Jolley (Mrs. Henry) Pryor; a grandson, Timothy Hill; a granddaughter, Dee (Mrs. Timothy) Beck; and a foster granddaughter, Viki Johnston who has two children, Jace and Rusty. Albert and his wife, Reba live in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Timothy and Dee are their children. Jolley and her husband, Henry, live in McMinnville, Tennessee. A. R. and Ferrell had a son, Billy, who died four years ago. Brother Norman (Sonny) Hargett and I spoke at sister Hill's funeral in the meeting house of Darby Drive Church of Christ in Florence, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 23. Brother Hargett is the preacher for the Macedonia Church of Christ near Florence where brother and sister Hill have been teachers for a number of years. It was my pleasure to give sister Hill some "flowers" while she could smell them by writing a story about her and brother Hill which appeared in the January 1980 edition of The World Evangelist.
MARRIAGE AND EARLY LIFE
Brother and sister Hill were married in 1922. She was Ferrell Kirby. She was born October 18,1901 in Montgomery County, Alabama to H. R. and Georgia Tobias Kirby. Sister Hill's mother, the former Georgia Tbbias attended Highland Home College that was located a short distance south of Montgomery, Alabama. That college was founded by J.M. Barnes. He was President of the college. He was graduated from Bethany College founded by Alexander Campbell and of which he was President many years. Brother Barnes entered Bethany College in 1854. While he was in school there, Alexander Campbell was President of the college and its principal teacher. J. M. Barnes did for the South Alabama area what T. B. Larimore did for the North Alabama area. Larimore founded Mars Hill College in Florence in 1811 and operated it seventeen years. Barnes served in the South Alabama area as did David Lipscomb in Middle Tennessee, and as did the inimitable Benjamin Franklin north of the Ohio River. Samuel Jordan was a teacher at Highland Home College. He baptized sister Ferrell Kirby who became Mrs. A. R. Hill. She had childhood memories of both brother Barnes and brother Jordan as guests in the Kirby home. On one occasion when sister Ferrell was quite small, five or six years of age, she knew brother Barnes was coming to her house, so she was wearing a brand new dress for the occasion! She was prancing in front of the fireplace and got that new dress on fire! Her daddy came in just in time to extinguish the flame, she was not burned. Sister Hill's parents, brother and sister H. R. Kirby helped get the church started in Opp, Ala. They mortgaged their home to buy a building in which the church met at Bay Minette, Ala.
HER WRITINGS
Sister Hill's manuscripts for he column Unto You Young Women were more nearly perfect than any I received. She wrote a popular book entitled: Stories From Dogwood Hill. Two of her books can be ordered from: International Bible College Women, P.O. Box IBC, Florence, Alabama 35630. These two are: Girls. Girls, Girls, and Unto You Young Women: Keepers Of Homes. The proceeds from these two books go to International Bible College and are used in the work of training workers for the Lord and his church. Sister Hill wrote some books which have not been published. Work is being done to get them published. For more than twenty years she wrote Bible lessons for young people that were published in quarterly form by Gospel Advocate Company.
TESTIMONY OF "ADOPTED" GIRLS
Brother and sister Hill did not legally adopt them, but they aided and encouraged two young ladies so that they called them their "adopted" girls. They are Martha and Helen. Martha is now Mr &. Paul Dossett, and Helen is the wife of Wendell Needham a gospel preacher. While sister Hill was very ill, Martha on May 3, 1982 wrote the Hills as follows: "Dear Mama and Papa: My heart is heavy with sorrow for your pain and suffering. All of my friends and yours are praying for you. You may receive some cards from people that you have never known from the Tara congregation or others where we are passing the word through our bulletins and friends. Paul and I attend at Tara now because it is our closest family of God. I continue my work on the V.B.S. series "Go" for them instead of the Old National congregation. They have encouraged me to try to have it published.We hope to be able to do that next year. As I work on it, I think of you every step of the way. Thank you so much for your help on this. You remembered many things that I had completely forgot about. I wish we could have worked together again, but God does not make mistakes and it was not according to His will. "Mother Hill, since I talked with Papa, my memory has gone back to the beginning of our relationship. I remember the days that we used to meet half way between my home and yours and walk together back to yours. I remember your beautiful dolls and the fun we had working on them. I also remember working on the V.B.S. series Go. I remember the ladies class on Tuesday nights. I remember your Bible school on wheels. That was the one of which you said, 'Have Bible, will travel.' "I never had a question that you could not answer. I never asked for help that I did not receive it. I have a scrapbook full of things you sent me from various places where you and Papa worked. I have kept them all and I use your ideas all the time in my work. There are many people that have known you in those days and tell my new friends that you were my teacher when they admire my work. And now, I will do the things you have suggested for my V.B.S. series. "I am working on a flip chart of the life of Peter at present. I will use your outline study for the 5th lesson on Eternal Life. I will make posters to teach the pre-school children just as you suggested. When I have finished, I will tell everyone it has been dedicated to you because a great deal of it would not have been done except for you. I haven't said it very much, probably because words cannot express it very well, but I am so thankful to have known and loved you. You changed the entire structure of my life. "Now, I want to talk a moment about visiting you for a short period of time. You know I love you and want to do what is best for you. If you want to see me, I will take a short vacation and stop by there to see you–but if you feel that it would be better for us to hold on to our beautiful memories and not mar it with the pain and suffering, I can understand that, too. We will meet again. It is God's plan. Please ask Dee to write and let me know or get someone to call me if you need to. I am anxious for any word from you. "May God bless you–now and forever. "I love you, too, Papa and pray Gob's blessings on both of you. Love always, Martha." Following the funeral, brother Hill received a mesrrage from Helen Needham. She said of sister Hill: "I remember her trusting smiles and good will, her enthusiasm, her love for life. She will always live with us in this manner. We love you. I can still see you in the pulpit at Main Street and remember your good lessons. Take care, and we will be praying for you. Love, Helen." I include in this story these items from these two "adopted" daughters of the Hills because what they say shows that not only do her children praise her and call her blessed, but others whose lives she touched loved and admired her.
GOOD BIBLE TEACHER
Only the good Lord knows the tremendous and eternal good sister Hill did as a good Bible teacher. She and Brother Hill attended David Lipscomb College more than sixty years ago, and were taught by H. Leo Boles, E.A. Elam, Dr. J.S. Ward, and other prominent teachers. (J.S. Ward was educated at the College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky, and one of his teachers was J.W. McGarvey.) Sister Hill was very artistic. She did many paintings to depict Bible stories, thus implementing her own visual aids. She taught others how to paint such scenes. Sister Hill did many good works. She was a good speech teacher. Brother Hill told me since the funeral that she helped John Harris, a black brother, develop his speech ability. He is an outstanding evangelist. She helped many preachers in various ways. She and Brother Hill taught at International Bible College in its early years and refused to take pay for their services. As we think of Sister Hill, we are joyfully reminded of, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them," Revelation 14:13. Brother A.R. Hill at age 91 is doing mighty well. He is planning to continue his Bible classes and to preach some. He will be glad to receive messages from the readers of The World Evangelist. Hiss address is: A.R. Hill, Sr., 315 Wright Drive, Florence 7 Alabama 35830. On the day of sister Hill's funeral, I wrote the following about her and read it at the funeral:
With no fanfare or demanding,
Quietly she worked and had her say.
With no out-of-sorts commanding,
She led others to the Way.
Living meekly and with ease
Her life was majestic, a mighty force.
Always seeking her Lord to please,
She let her Pilot chart her course.
In her mind there was work undone
But God's boatman said, "It's time to go."
And into the presence of God's Son
She escaped all earthly woe!
—The World Evangelist, Basil Overton, Volume 10, No.12, July, 1982, pages 1,19.
Some of the most challenging, dramatic, and interesting stories in the Bible are about women of God. A few of them are Eve, Sarah, Jochebed, Hannah, Mary, Dorcas, Priscilla and Phebe. Were the Bible being written now, stories of some of the women of God I have known and some that I know would likely be included in its sacred pages. One of them is Mrs. A. R. (Ferrell K.) Hill. From the beginning of The World Evangelist in 1972 sister Hill wrote the column Unto You Young Women. She died May 20, 1982, at her home in Florence, Alabama. She is survived by her husband, A.R. Hill, a gospel preacher; a son Albert, a gospel preacher; a daughter, Jolley (Mrs. Henry) Pryor; a grandson, Timothy Hill; a granddaughter, Dee (Mrs. Timothy) Beck; and a foster granddaughter, Viki Johnston who has two children, Jace and Rusty. Albert and his wife, Reba live in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Timothy and Dee are their children. Jolley and her husband, Henry, live in McMinnville, Tennessee. A. R. and Ferrell had a son, Billy, who died four years ago. Brother Norman (Sonny) Hargett and I spoke at sister Hill's funeral in the meeting house of Darby Drive Church of Christ in Florence, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 23. Brother Hargett is the preacher for the Macedonia Church of Christ near Florence where brother and sister Hill have been teachers for a number of years. It was my pleasure to give sister Hill some "flowers" while she could smell them by writing a story about her and brother Hill which appeared in the January 1980 edition of The World Evangelist.
MARRIAGE AND EARLY LIFE
Brother and sister Hill were married in 1922. She was Ferrell Kirby. She was born October 18,1901 in Montgomery County, Alabama to H. R. and Georgia Tobias Kirby. Sister Hill's mother, the former Georgia Tbbias attended Highland Home College that was located a short distance south of Montgomery, Alabama. That college was founded by J.M. Barnes. He was President of the college. He was graduated from Bethany College founded by Alexander Campbell and of which he was President many years. Brother Barnes entered Bethany College in 1854. While he was in school there, Alexander Campbell was President of the college and its principal teacher. J. M. Barnes did for the South Alabama area what T. B. Larimore did for the North Alabama area. Larimore founded Mars Hill College in Florence in 1811 and operated it seventeen years. Barnes served in the South Alabama area as did David Lipscomb in Middle Tennessee, and as did the inimitable Benjamin Franklin north of the Ohio River. Samuel Jordan was a teacher at Highland Home College. He baptized sister Ferrell Kirby who became Mrs. A. R. Hill. She had childhood memories of both brother Barnes and brother Jordan as guests in the Kirby home. On one occasion when sister Ferrell was quite small, five or six years of age, she knew brother Barnes was coming to her house, so she was wearing a brand new dress for the occasion! She was prancing in front of the fireplace and got that new dress on fire! Her daddy came in just in time to extinguish the flame, she was not burned. Sister Hill's parents, brother and sister H. R. Kirby helped get the church started in Opp, Ala. They mortgaged their home to buy a building in which the church met at Bay Minette, Ala.
HER WRITINGS
Sister Hill's manuscripts for he column Unto You Young Women were more nearly perfect than any I received. She wrote a popular book entitled: Stories From Dogwood Hill. Two of her books can be ordered from: International Bible College Women, P.O. Box IBC, Florence, Alabama 35630. These two are: Girls. Girls, Girls, and Unto You Young Women: Keepers Of Homes. The proceeds from these two books go to International Bible College and are used in the work of training workers for the Lord and his church. Sister Hill wrote some books which have not been published. Work is being done to get them published. For more than twenty years she wrote Bible lessons for young people that were published in quarterly form by Gospel Advocate Company.
TESTIMONY OF "ADOPTED" GIRLS
Brother and sister Hill did not legally adopt them, but they aided and encouraged two young ladies so that they called them their "adopted" girls. They are Martha and Helen. Martha is now Mr &. Paul Dossett, and Helen is the wife of Wendell Needham a gospel preacher. While sister Hill was very ill, Martha on May 3, 1982 wrote the Hills as follows: "Dear Mama and Papa: My heart is heavy with sorrow for your pain and suffering. All of my friends and yours are praying for you. You may receive some cards from people that you have never known from the Tara congregation or others where we are passing the word through our bulletins and friends. Paul and I attend at Tara now because it is our closest family of God. I continue my work on the V.B.S. series "Go" for them instead of the Old National congregation. They have encouraged me to try to have it published.We hope to be able to do that next year. As I work on it, I think of you every step of the way. Thank you so much for your help on this. You remembered many things that I had completely forgot about. I wish we could have worked together again, but God does not make mistakes and it was not according to His will. "Mother Hill, since I talked with Papa, my memory has gone back to the beginning of our relationship. I remember the days that we used to meet half way between my home and yours and walk together back to yours. I remember your beautiful dolls and the fun we had working on them. I also remember working on the V.B.S. series Go. I remember the ladies class on Tuesday nights. I remember your Bible school on wheels. That was the one of which you said, 'Have Bible, will travel.' "I never had a question that you could not answer. I never asked for help that I did not receive it. I have a scrapbook full of things you sent me from various places where you and Papa worked. I have kept them all and I use your ideas all the time in my work. There are many people that have known you in those days and tell my new friends that you were my teacher when they admire my work. And now, I will do the things you have suggested for my V.B.S. series. "I am working on a flip chart of the life of Peter at present. I will use your outline study for the 5th lesson on Eternal Life. I will make posters to teach the pre-school children just as you suggested. When I have finished, I will tell everyone it has been dedicated to you because a great deal of it would not have been done except for you. I haven't said it very much, probably because words cannot express it very well, but I am so thankful to have known and loved you. You changed the entire structure of my life. "Now, I want to talk a moment about visiting you for a short period of time. You know I love you and want to do what is best for you. If you want to see me, I will take a short vacation and stop by there to see you–but if you feel that it would be better for us to hold on to our beautiful memories and not mar it with the pain and suffering, I can understand that, too. We will meet again. It is God's plan. Please ask Dee to write and let me know or get someone to call me if you need to. I am anxious for any word from you. "May God bless you–now and forever. "I love you, too, Papa and pray Gob's blessings on both of you. Love always, Martha." Following the funeral, brother Hill received a mesrrage from Helen Needham. She said of sister Hill: "I remember her trusting smiles and good will, her enthusiasm, her love for life. She will always live with us in this manner. We love you. I can still see you in the pulpit at Main Street and remember your good lessons. Take care, and we will be praying for you. Love, Helen." I include in this story these items from these two "adopted" daughters of the Hills because what they say shows that not only do her children praise her and call her blessed, but others whose lives she touched loved and admired her.
GOOD BIBLE TEACHER
Only the good Lord knows the tremendous and eternal good sister Hill did as a good Bible teacher. She and Brother Hill attended David Lipscomb College more than sixty years ago, and were taught by H. Leo Boles, E.A. Elam, Dr. J.S. Ward, and other prominent teachers. (J.S. Ward was educated at the College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky, and one of his teachers was J.W. McGarvey.) Sister Hill was very artistic. She did many paintings to depict Bible stories, thus implementing her own visual aids. She taught others how to paint such scenes. Sister Hill did many good works. She was a good speech teacher. Brother Hill told me since the funeral that she helped John Harris, a black brother, develop his speech ability. He is an outstanding evangelist. She helped many preachers in various ways. She and Brother Hill taught at International Bible College in its early years and refused to take pay for their services. As we think of Sister Hill, we are joyfully reminded of, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them," Revelation 14:13. Brother A.R. Hill at age 91 is doing mighty well. He is planning to continue his Bible classes and to preach some. He will be glad to receive messages from the readers of The World Evangelist. Hiss address is: A.R. Hill, Sr., 315 Wright Drive, Florence 7 Alabama 35830. On the day of sister Hill's funeral, I wrote the following about her and read it at the funeral:
With no fanfare or demanding,
Quietly she worked and had her say.
With no out-of-sorts commanding,
She led others to the Way.
Living meekly and with ease
Her life was majestic, a mighty force.
Always seeking her Lord to please,
She let her Pilot chart her course.
In her mind there was work undone
But God's boatman said, "It's time to go."
And into the presence of God's Son
She escaped all earthly woe!
—The World Evangelist, Basil Overton, Volume 10, No.12, July, 1982, pages 1,19.
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