of Mabelvale, AR
July 1, 1934 - May 1, 2020
Edith Irene Hill, 85, of Mabelvale, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2020. She was born on July 1, 1934 in England, AR to the late Alex and Lear Russell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby C. Hill, Sr.; son, Bobby C. Hill, Jr.; three brothers, Pete, Charles and Alex Russell; four sisters, Loraine Cheatham, Jeanette Clem, Sum McCurdy and Charlotte Hunt.
Irene loved to travel, shop, and was a social butterfly. She was a member of Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Benton and a former member of Mat-Ta-Nah Temple Daughters of the Nile. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend who will be missed by all who knew her.
Irene is survived by her sons, Charles A. Hill (Joyce) and Jimmy C. Hill (Marsha); daughter in law, Sharon Hill; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Love, Carolyn Ballentine, Pat Johnson and Peggy King; special friends, Marilyn Barnes and Sue Wray and a host of additional family and friends.
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5 Condolence(s)
Jan (Hickey)) Meins Gray
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
It is sad that I lost touch with my sweet cousins, especially Irene Hill. I should not have left my home in Cabot, Arkansas, without letting my cousins know how to get in touch with me. I miss going out Asher Avenue to Irene's Dairy Bar and enjoying my time spent with her and my other cousins, Irene's sisters. You were always loving and kind and full of interesting stories about how the Hickey and Russel clans came about. I loved hearing about my Aunt Lear, and I was fascinated by the stories you told bout Grandma Nettie Hickey. I am so sorry I did not think about the importance of family ties before I moved away and lost contact with all of you.
I have truly regretted not staying in touch because I do miss Irene and her sisters. Since my father, Homer Hickey, and my mother, Louise, passed away, as well as Uncle George, Cousin Henrietta Self, Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill, and Aunt Fannie and Uncle Fred, AND Irene, I have often thought about them, and I regret I can never again see them in this life. I also am so sorry I was unable to attend the Russel and Hickey family REUNIONS. Of course, that is MY fault because nobody knew how to find me. I did try to find Nettie And her brothers, but I failed. I thought I might find Jimmy because at one time, he worked at my husband, Tom's, business: Crockett Adjustment in Little ROCK. I guess my online search abilities are far from successful, but please know that I love all of you and would love to get back in touch with my extended family. I now live at 76 Hunters Circle, Powder Springs, GA, 30127 and my cell is 417 2555432. we do not intend to stay here, as we are renting for now. We hope to buy a house in South Georgia, near the Florida line. Oh, I forgot to tell you about my husband, Larry. He retired from his welding business a few years ago. Dad would have really liked Larry because he is a former Green Beret and takes very good care of his wife. :) God bless all of you, especially sweet Irene. I do love you, so please call me whenever you can. Blessings from your cousin, Jan Hickey GRAY. P.S. thankfully, my cousin, Elsa Rosenberg,(Formerly, Betty Lou Hickey) has gotten back in touch with me. She moved back to Arkansas and saw the recent death notice about my brother, John Hickey. John passed on Dec. 26th this year. Please remember John in your Prayers. He is being cremated, and his ashes will be entered Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery at North Little ROCK . {I did not know John had passed until about a week ago. that is why he has not yet been cremated.]
As you know, ELSA'S sister, Georgia Hickey, passed away a few years ago. However, prior to her illness, Georgia spent holidays at my house in Cabot, Arkansas, when my husband, Tom Meins, was still living. Georgia was quite the poker player, and we enjoyed her company. PS Did you guys know about my book, Murder In Little Rock I wrote it while working for the Arkansas Democrat -- way back when!!! when you pray for Irene, please tell her hello for me.
After my husband, tom Meins passed away in 2000, I took a teaching job in Oklahoma at Eastern OK State College and moved to McAlester, OK, where I lived 12 years. I also taught English Composition and various writing classes for Columbia College in Columbia, MO, and for Kaplan University, a nation-wide online University. I remarried in 2014 and ultimately, my husband, Larry Gray, and I moved to Hardy, Arkansas. But wait! I moved again in 2022. That move brought me and my husband to Georgia, only an hour's drive from my daughter, Christine Aleck's house. I have two grand daughters here, and one is a freshman at Georgia State College and University. My oldest, a son, Robert Ervolina, lives in Buffalo, New York, with his wife and two sweet children who attend Catholic Schools, and my grandson plays ice hockey and LaCrosse and his sister plays soccer. Their father owns a financial consulting firm, Lifetime Buffalo.
Tom Meins and I had one daughter together, Lora Meins, quite a horse woman who now lives in Still water, OK, and is a horse trainer. She and her husband, Brian Snyder, have an 18 month old baby boy, who is, of course,cute and smart and very hug-able.
I hope you can hear me, Irene. I love you and miss you so, so much. God bless and keep you.
Frances Love
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Aunt Rene as you were affectionately known to your nieces & nephews we have so many memories of you. I loved coming and spending the night with you when I was younger but it always ended up me getting into trouble because of Charles, Sonny & Jimmy C but mostly Sonny the mastermind. Growing up you gave me 3 brothers I guess because they were the only ones that put up with me. You will be missed dearly by your family but we know you are feeling no pain and you are with Uncle Bob and Sonny. Give Daddy a hug for me and I love you Aunt Rene.
Sharon
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
I hate to see you go but I know you give it a long hard battle for almost ten years we only got to see you a few times with life and everything going on in life the last time I saw you was last year you met my grandson you were oh so sweet to him I got a good pic of y’all I’m happy I got to see you then I love you ! You rest â¤ï¸
Sherry Wharton Johnson
Monday, May 4, 2020
Guys, so sorry for your loss. She had a long and full life but we are never ready for them to move into that next chapter. I remember the meals, reunions and just everyday times with Aunt Irene. Her teasing and tricks, a family trait. The last couple of times I visited with her I was startled how much her mannerisms and looks were like my mother, Loraine. She left a great legacy of children, grandchildren and great grand children. Love you Aunt Irene. Say hi to mother.
Dana Lynn Smith
Monday, May 4, 2020
My sweet Irene so many good memories and so many laughs. You were such a great friend to our mother and will always have a special place in my heart. I hated to see you go but knew you wanted to be free and for that part I'm grateful. You will be so missed by your daughters by choice but we will see you again one day. You had a heart of gold even though you told everyone you didn't give a happy we knew better. I love you so much!