Harriet Mack Hill

Harriet Mack Hill, 80, of Roswell, GA, died 7 July 2011, at home with her family. Harriet was born in Georgetown, SC, 24 August 1930. Her parents were Rev. Joseph Bingham Mack and Myrtle Blake Mack, and she was the middle child of five. She grew up in Georgetown, SC, and also Athens, GA., and graduated from Athens High School. Harriet married Robert W. Hill in 1949, and began an adventurous career as Air Force wife and mother to four children. She was a little gal with a huge heart! She relished her 20 years as an “Air Force gypsy” and always made the point that home was where ever the family was stationed. She did an excellent job of moving around the world, and always had room at the table for a few more folks. Her home was truly with open doors, and everyone was always welcome. The school friends still in touch after 75 years, and Air Force friends still regularly visiting after over 50 years are a testament to her joy of traveling and welcoming everyone into her home. In later years she also had various nieces and nephews who lived with her as they finished college and started their adult lives. Children of her dear Air Force friends stayed with her too, on more than one occasion. She truly had open arms and an open heart for all. The extreme differences of living in Laredo, TX, then moving to France did not rattle her one bit. She loved to tell the stories of taking 4 children, ages 1 to 10, by herself across the Atlantic, in between two snow storms, so all could join Daddy for four years! “Hattie”, or “Hattie Belle”, as she was known to many, ran the base Rod & Gun Club when the family was stationed in France. She was also a certified shooting instructor. She taught exceptional children at a private school while in Montgomery, AL. She also was very active at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, in the choir, working with youth groups, and manning the kitchen for family night suppers. After Bob’s retirement, in Atlanta she taught special needs children. Over several years in Atlanta, she also managed three different retail gun stores. One year, on a dare from a friend, she learned to drive 18 wheel “big rigs” and then traveled across the country that summer! Care giving was in Harriet’s heart. She cared for an elderly aunt, an elderly sister in law, and many Air Force friends over the years in many situations. Countless children in her life (in addition to her own), and many young adults sought her sage advice and mothering. When asked how many children she had, she would grin and say,” Four with papers, plus many more!” She decided to make brownies to pass out to the workers on her street following a very bad tornado. She loved taking supper to her also-elderly next door neighbor in her last 9 years. Harriet was always proud to say she raised her four children to be individuals, and enjoyed the remarkable differences. She is remembered for the lessons of laughter, story telling, caring for others, patriotism and life long learning. She was extremely proud of her 9 grandchildren, and loved them dearly. She always praised them to everyone, even when she was not able to see them as much as she hoped for. Harriet was staunch in her faith in God and her Savior. She often shared the life lessons learned from her father who was a 5th generation Presbyterian minister, and her mother who was an exceptional and saintly woman, lovingly adored by family as ‘The Queen Mother’. Harriet was predeceased by her parents, Rev. & Mrs. Joseph B. Mack, her brother Capt. Joseph Bingham Mack, sisters Mary Ashley Mack and Myrtle Blake Mack Jeffries. Harriet Hill is survived by her sisters Genevieve Mack Wynegar, Gail Keppler Mack and Linda Hill Brooks; 2 daughters and 2 sons and their spouses: Elizabeth ‘Buffy’ and David Scheaffer, David and Beverly Hill, George and Becky Hill, and Ashley and Emmitt Kraft; 9 grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service to celebrate Harriet’s life will be on Saturday, 23 July 2011 at 2 PM at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Roswell, GA. http://www.northminster-atl.org/ The family requsts that those attending, if possible, to wear BRIGHT COLORS, a La Harriet! Officiating will be Rev. Susan Haynes, of Northminster, and Rev. Bob Matthews of Friendship Presbyterian Church, Concord, GA. http://www.friendshippres.com/bios.html Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/shop.do?cID=10180 Or in honor and memory of Harriet’s love and support of Vizslas, to Southeast Vizsla Rescue, 885 Hunterhill Drive, Roswell, GA 30075 Condolences may be sent to 885 Hunterhill Drive, Roswell, GA 30075.

Harriet Mack Hill

August 24, 1930 - July 7, 2011