James "Jimmy" Ronald Hill

James Ronald Hill (affectionately) known as “Jimmy” was the first-born and only son of James Warren (J.W.) and Louise Crenshaw Hill on Tuesday, September 14, 1943.  He was later joined by sisters, Betty, Carlotta, Beverly, and Winifred Kay.  Jimmy grew up in the agricultural community of Garland helping his Daddy and uncles with hog killings, cropping tobacco, and all other farm-related jobs and helping with his four sisters.  He developed a strong work ethic and leadership skills which sustained him throughout his life.  While in high school, he convinced his Daddy to begin planting cucumbers for extra cash for HIS sisters to harvest and “joyfully give him the earnings”.  Jimmy entered into eternal rest with his family by his side on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

Our beloved attended and became a member of the Saint Stephen A.M.E. Zion Church at a very young age and maintained his membership there with his family.  He was a 1961 graduate of Clear Run High School.

After high school, Jimmy was attracted to the bright lights of New York, but VERY SOON returned to follow in the footsteps of his Daddy and enrolled in Bull City Barber College in Durham.  With these skills he would become a master barber for decades in Fort Bragg and in his hometown, eventually co-owning barbershops in Fayetteville NC.  Jimmy also worked with the Bladen County Extension Service prior to owning The Corner Store in Garland for twenty-seven years.  He served as a mentor to many young people in the community and was loved and respected by all.

On August 9, 1963, at the young age of 19, Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Rebecca Boykin and with her they shared one son, James Kevin Hill, several grandchildren, and developed very close loving relationships with his nieces and nephews, and other children in the community.  Their home has always been a welcoming hotspot for out-of-town guests and community members.  After retirement, you could find Jimmy sitting in his favorite chair usually watching westerns.

He is preceded in death by his parents:  J.W. and Louise Hill and his son, James Kevin Hill.

Jimmy leaves to cherish fond memories:  his devoted wife of 60 years, Rebecca B. Hill of the home; four sisters of Garland, NC - Betty (Eddie, Jr.) Bronson; Carlotta (Henry) Boykin, Beverly (Robert) Hollingsworth, and Winifred (Danny) Murphy; four grandchildren: Elijah Williams of the home; Lindell Owens, Garland, NC, Tevin Melvin,      Wahiawa, Hawaii, and La’Tera Melvin of Fayetteville, NC; three great-grandchildren, several devoted nieces, and nephews, and a host of cousins, friends, former co-workers, former employees, and the community of Garland. Jimmy will be missed by all of us, but his loving spirit will continue to warm and nurture us through the cherished memories he left for us.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, May 22, 2023, at St. Stephen AME Zion Church, 51 E. 3rd St., Garland. Interment to follow at Garland Community Cemetery, Hill Circle Road, Garland. The Reverend Bobby Simmons will be officiating the service.

The family will receive friends on Monday, May 22, 2023, from 10:00-10:45 AM prior to the service, at St. Stephen AME Zion Church, 51 E. 3rd St., Garland.

Services are provided by Carter Funeral Home of Garland. www.carterfh.com