Ms. Josietana Bernice Hill

Josietana "Jo" Bernice Hill was born into a very loving and close-knit family on April 25, 1941, to Willie Segar and Littie Mae (Payne) Segar in Danville, KY. She was the youngest girl of 16 children. Jo was baptized into the Lord at a young age at Davistown Baptist Church in Lancaster, KY. She attended school in Lancaster, graduating as the valedictorian for the 1960 class of Mason High School. After which, she attended Berea College. While at Berea, she was an active participant in the chapel choir, and played field hockey and basketball. She also loved to go out dancing with friends. Jo graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor Degree of Arts in Mathematics and a German language minor. This enabled her to earn her teaching certification and become a math teacher to junior and high school students. After graduating from college, she moved to Chicago, IL where she immediately moved in with some of her siblings. This helped solidify her love and commitment to her large family. That love and dedication remained with her all her life. Jo met the love of her life, Earl Howard Hill, and they were married on April 24, 1965. Jo and Earl were blessed with 52 years of marriage, until his death on July 13,2017. To this union, 3 children were born: LaTanya, Earl II, and Dwayne. In 1966, career opportunities led Jo and Earl to Milwaukee, WI. They both became teachers within the Milwaukee Public School (MPS) system. Jo had the privilege to teach at Robert Fulton Middle School, Peckham Junior High School, West Division High School, and Madison High School. While at Madison High School, she was the math department chair for several years and coached the cheer leading team. She also worked as a representative for the MPS District Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DAR.E.) Program. Jo was a very successful and beloved teacher for 33 years, teaching and mentoring many students, not only in mathematics, but also in life. Jo enjoyed many hobbies. At various times throughout her life, she sang with the Bel Canto Chorus and the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Chancel Choir, bowled in two different bowling leagues, and was an avid reader. Jo loved being a part of the Top Ladies of America, Inc (TLOD). ln fact, "Lady Jo" was a charter member of the Milwaukee Chapter, the 8th Chapter President, and the 1 st Vice President. Over the years she also served in various other positions within TLOD such as the Director of Operations, a Top Teens of America advisor, the treasurer, the financial secretary, and on numerous committees and councils. Lady Jo would attend almost every national and Area III Conference until her ability to travel became too difficult. Jo also loved to travel. Jo and Earl (sometimes with their children) have visited many places. They have traveled to approximately 45 of the 50 United States, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, Italy, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Caribbean Islands. However, their travel was not just for fun and relaxation. Their deep commitment to maintaining and honoring extended family bonds guaranteed that "Aunt Jo and Uncle Earl would be there." They were there for almost every family reunion and funeral, for graduations, births, and weddings, for illnesses, for birthday celebrations and anniversaries, and for "Rally Sundays". Even though Josietana Bernice Hill did many things, her greatest asset and accomplishment was that Jo was a woman of great faith. Her external acts of love and service to her Christian community were numerous. She was an active and well-loved member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church for over 56 years. As a member, she was one of the founding members of the YACS (Young Adults for Christian Service.) This group not only served their community and helped build a dynamic youth ministry, but they also supported one another through faith and friendship. She sang in the Chancel Choir. She also spent time serving as a church trustee and treasurer for the General Missionary Society. Jo served on the Altar Guild and in the Julia Child's Missionary Circle. She was also a member of the Jasper/Wade Quilting Guild. Her internal acts of faith and love were just as impressive even though one could see only glimpses. Jo was devoted to knowing, loving, and worshiping God. Even after the..global pandemic and failing health that limited her ability to actively participate at church in person, Jo still prepared for her Sunday school lessons on Saturday nights and attended her Pathfinders Sunday school class on Sunday morning, as well as Wednesday night bible study class via Zoom as much as she was able. And every Sunday morning, she still "went to church" by faithfully watching Mt. Zion's Sunday service over Facebook along with two other churches' sermons. Jo prayed for others, sent cards of encouragement, and would faithfully call friends and family just to "make sure they were alright". And as a final testament to her incredible faith, all three of her children continue to be believers in God to this day. Jo leaves to cherish her memory: three children, LaTanya (Patrick) Bacon of Glendale, WI, Earl Hill II of Wellington, FL, and Dwayne (Angela) Hill of Slinger, WI; six grandchildren, Nia, Flynn, Alexandria, Gabriel, Grace, and Joy; two sisters-in-law, Mary E. Segar of Lexington, KY and Wanda Washington of Spring City, TX; two brothers-in-law, Herman (Alice) Hill of Friendship, TX and Austin Hill of Pine Bluff, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Ms. Josietana Bernice Hill

April 25, 1941 - May 28, 2023