Bobbie Louise Hillier

Mrs. Bobbie Hillier of Marietta, whose life was filled with joy, hope and eternal optimism, passed away at home with her children at her side on Tuesday, December 31, 2013. She was 81. She was born Bobbie Louise Burney on December 18, 1932, in the town of Snyder in her beloved West Texas. She was the oldest of the five children of Mary Oleta Burney and William C. Burney. The family later moved to nearby Odessa, where she graduated from Odessa High School and received an associate's degree from Odessa College. Although she traveled widely and spent much of her life elsewhere, West Texas remained in her spirit. She fondly recalled the open vistas and wide skies of her homeland, and she always considered herself a Texan. She married John Robert Hillier, also of Odessa, on July 17, 1954. Mr. Hillier, who passed away in 2003, had a long career in the energy industry, which led the couple to new homes in Johnson City, Tenn.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Setauket, Long Island, N.Y.; Paget, Bermuda; back to Knoxville; and, finally, to Houston, Texas. They moved to Marietta in 1998 following Mr. Hillier's retirement. Everywhere she went, Mrs. Hillier volunteered her time and energy in churches, hospitals and schools. When her daughter, Kathy, and son, King, were young, she taught kindergarten at St. John's Episcopal School in Odessa. Later she taught preschool children at Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church in Knoxville and was the director of youth activities at Smithtown United Methodist Church on Long Island. There she also advised the Wesley Touring Choir, a singing group to which her children belonged, and accompanied the choir on overseas tours. In Houston, Mrs. Hillier sold ladies' clothing at the Macy's department store and later worked at a local children's store. The Hilliers moved to Marietta to be near their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Jonathan and Jenny Newman. Mrs. Hillier became a fixture at Jonathan's baseball games and Jenny's soccer matches. She and her husband joined First United Methodist Church of Marietta, where Mrs. Hillier was a member of the Altar Guild, the Memorial Committee, the Table Toppers, the Women's Circle and the Jack Aaron Sunday School Class. She also helped build a park on the church grounds and participated in a grocery bus ministry that provided weekly trips to the supermarket to residents with no other access to transportation. Mrs. Hillier took an active role in several community organizations, including the Marietta Lost Mountain Golden K of Kiwanis International, The Flower Garden Club, and the Dixie Dolls of the Red Hat Society. She also volunteered at MUST Ministries. Mrs. Hillier's survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and David Newman, of Marietta; her son, King Hillier, of Houston and Luling, Texas; her grandson, Jonathan Newman, of Atlanta; her granddaughter, Jenny Newman, of Oakland, Calif.; her sister and brother-in-law, Joy and Selden Jones, of Comanche, Texas; her brother and sister-in-law, Travis and Pat Burney, of Lone Oak, Texas; her brother, Mike Burney, of McGregor, Texas; her sister-in-law, Linda Stewart, of Denton, Texas, widow of her late brother, Bud Burney; her brother-in-law, Bud Hillier, of Tyler, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and other friends and relatives. A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, January 4, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. The family will receive friends after the service. Mrs. Hillier will be remembered as a woman with deep faith and an adventurous soul. Although she never learned to swim, she parasailed fearlessly in Acapulco, Mexico. She faced illness with the same optimism that everything would turn out fine in the end. She could see the beauty and potential in every situation she encountered and in every person she met. She leaves that gift with all who knew and loved her. Donations in memory of Mrs. Hillier may be made to First United Methodist Church of Marietta, 56 Whitlock Ave., N.W, Marietta, Ga. 30064 Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta will be handling the arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-428-1511

Bobbie Louise Hillier

December 18, 1932 - December 31, 2013