Louise McGrotha Hill passed into eternal peace on July 17, 2019, after a life’s journey of faith, family, friends and love. Visitation will take place at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Macon Road, from 2:00 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2019. Private interment is scheduled at Parkhill Cemetery. Louise was born on March 31, 1929 in Autaugaville, Alabama. A few years later she moved to Columbus Georgia where she met and married James McGrotha. They had two daughters, Ann & Faye, and enjoyed a 47-year marriage. Both were active members of Rose Hill Baptist Church where James served as Chair of the Board of Deacons, Sunday School teacher, Finance Chair, and mentor to so many; and Louise led classes and prayer groups. Louise regularly extended her heart by inviting friends and newcomers to gather around her table to share her delicious southern cooking. For a number of years, Louise was the Office Manager for a dental office, where she warmly greeted every patient and supported Dr. Binns and his family with her love, compassion and generosity. Following James’ death in 1990, she married George Hill and relocated to Winter Park, Florida, where they lived a life full of friends, entertaining, traveling, and faith as members of Winter Park Baptist Church. Following George’s death in 2009, she moved back to Columbus near her daughter, Faye, then to Chicago’s North Shore in 2011 near her daughter, Ann. Louise loved life and fought for it on so many levels. Nothing stood in her way. For over 10 years she overshadowed the many symptoms Alzheimer’s presented her mind and body. The disease could never touch Louise’s resilient spirit. Even as her memory faded, she always had smiles and hugs for everyone. Louise will always be in the hearts of her loving family, Daughter, Ann Weatherhead (Paul, deceased) and grandchildren Andrew, Brooklyn, New York, and Katie (Camden Allison-Hall) Portland, Oregon; Daughter, Faye Spencer (Terry) and grandchildren Chadwick (Nora), Reno, Nevada, and Ann Marie, Columbus, Georgia; Sister, Geraldine Hendrix, Columbus, Georgia. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, generous and loving spirit, elegant entertaining, wonderful Southern cooking and beautiful gardens. She truly lived her Christian faith as she spread joy, comfort and friendship to her family, large circle of friends, and to all she encountered. She was known as “Lulu” or “Aunt Louise” to so many.
“We shake with joy, we shake with grief. What a time they have, these two housed as they are in the same body.” – Mary Oliver