Bessie C. Hildreth's Obituary
Bessie Ceola Hildreth , 98 of Upper Deerfield Twsp. died late Friday evening October 6, 2006 in the Regional Medical Center , Vineland. Her death was sudden and unexpected.
Born in Greenwich Twsp. she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Emily nee Sheppard Holladay, and was the wife of the late James Russell Hildreth Sr. She had been a resident of Upper Deerfield Twsp. for approximately 84 years.
As a child Bessie attended Greenwich Presbyterian Church, and in the early 1920?s her family moved to the Deerfield area and she attended the Deerfield Presbyterian Church, which she joined in 1925. Bessie was the oldest member of the church, where she taught kindergarten and first grade Sunday School to many children. She also took care of the Cradle Roll and was a member of the Missionary Society. Bessie was a homemaker and would say that her life was her church, her family, and her home. She enjoyed crocheting and cross stitching, and in her later years enjoyed antiquing and reading. She always gave praise to the Lord saying that he had added years to her life and blessed her with good health. She had a sign in her china cabinet that read ?Jesus Never Fails.? Bessie believed that in the 1920?s and she still believes that today.
Mrs. Hildreth is survived by two sisters Emily Corson of Salem, and Isabel Hampton of Pedricktown, 11 grandchildren Leslie H. Masters , Lowell C. Tankersley-Hildreth, Mary H. Stewart, Sharon Hildreth, James Hildreth, Faith Verner, Grace Hildreth Moore, John Hildreth, Curtis Hildreth, Hope M. Hildreth, Thomas J. Hildreth, and 19 great grandchildren. Besides her husband she was predeceased by two sons, James Russell Hildreth Jr., and Lowell Curtis Hildreth, four brothers, Norwood Holladay, Samuel Holladay, Maurice Holladay, and Howard Holladay, three sisters Mazie H. Brant, Hannah Sheppard West, and Margaret Sutton.
Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Saturday October 14, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. from the Deerfield Presbyterian Church, Deerfield. Mrs. Hildreth?s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth C. Larter will officiate. The interment will be in the Deerfield Presbyterian Church Cemetery, and a reception will be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following the committal service at the cemetery.
Friends may call on Saturday at the church from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. For those that desire, memorial donations in Mrs. Hildreth?s memory may be made to the Deerfield Presbyterian Church, 530 Old Deerfield Pike, Deerfield, NJ 08302.
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