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Edith K. Hill Mother of the Church at Miracles of Faith Community Church_ passes at 96 years of age. Was still active in the church and driving.
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Oakland, CA- "It is with heavy hearts, we realize we will no longer see in our church pews, our vibrant member, Edith K. Hill, who worked as a realtor well into her nineties and loyally served our church, said Reverend Greggory Brown, Pastor of Miracles of Faith Community Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). "Mother Hill passed Thursday, January 4th at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland. The widow of Lemon Hill to whom she was married for 50 years, Edith K. Hill, will be remembered and honored 12:00 Noon, Monday, January 15, 2018. Viewing prior to services will begin at
10 a.m. at her church located at
4335 Virginia Avenue in East Oakland.
"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said 'Everyone can be great because everyone can serve,' and Mother Hill embodied that truth of greatness through service as an 80 year servant of Jesus Christ through the Lutheran Church and her commitment to housing and diversity in Oakland," added Reverend Brown. "It is significant that we will honor her on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Those who knew her and those who know the value of great gifts to the community like Mother Hill are welcome to join our public celebration of her life."
Obituary Provided by the Hill Family
Remembered as the "Mother of the Church" and the matriarch of her family,
Edith K. (Bridges) Hill:
Our beloved, Edith K. Hill was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana on the 5th day of July 1919 to the union of the late Thomas Bridges and Ruth Blanch. She migrated to Oakland, CA in 1927 and later married the late Mr. Lemon Hill in 1940, where they enjoyed 50 years of marriage until his passing in 1991.
Upon arrival, she began her career in Real Estate, which lasted until her retirement after 50+ years of service. She was also a trained seamstress and milliner; where she ultimately hoped to one day go into business as a hat maker. Instead, in 1951 she took a job at S.B. O'Dell Realty Co. where she achieved some of her highest honors highlighting her success. She worked for the largest local African American realtor group, where she was amongst the first to break barriers selling homes to monitories during the 50's. Later she went into business for herself establishing Edith K. Hill, Real Estate Company off of Telegraph in North Oakland until her retirement in 1999. She was also a member of the Women's Council of the Oakland Board of Realtors and served as Treasure for many years.
Mrs. Hill aka "Auntie" Edith had a passion for cooking and gardening. She was proud to be of 98 years of age living independently in her Fruitvale home where she prepared her own meals and would happily host family & friends without need of formal invite. Auntie Edith was known for graciously welcoming everyone over for a traditional holiday feast filled love and laughter. Those who knew her knew that when you asked, "what can I bring?" She would respond in her soft-spoken, yet direct tone, "nothing, come and bring your lovely self". When she wasn't entertaining at her home, she could either be found in her backyard tending to her herb garden or in the kitchen preparing homemade jelly or baking a host of mouthwatering desserts.
Auntie Edith was a proud member and worshiper of the Lutheran faith for 80+ years. She passionately served as a member of her church, Bethlehem Lutheran then later, Miracles of Faith Community Church (where she was humbly proclaimed as "mother of church") until her passing. She was adored and well regarded; her most recent achievement was being selected as the Miracles of Faith Community Church recipient for the Shirley Chisholm Award, highlighting her years of endless contributions towards professional and social justice activities in her community.
"Aunty Edith" is survived by her God Family, Brenda, Kim, and Damon & Noelle Humphrey. Her great, great god grandson, Madrid Miller who she only referred to as "Drizzy". In addition, a host of great nieces and nephews including Brian & Regina Gibbs and Marc & Ester Royal. She also leaves behind a host of dear friends, including Lellingby Boyce, Herman West, Mariana Rivera, Myrtle Bennett and Miracles of Faith family. She will be truly missed and forever adored by a wide array of family, friends and loved ones.
An Economic Activist
Recorded history by Cathy Cockrell in the Berkeleyan, now a part of the University of California Berkeley News Center archives, captured Hill's determination. "...Edith Hill, a black realtor who fought to desegregate Oakland's neighborhoods, witnessed Oakland race relations, in the housing arena, first hand.
Trained as a seamstress and milliner, Hill hoped to go into business as a hat maker, but due to restrictive race-based covenants, was unable to rent a commercial space in any of the thriving millinery corridors on Broadway, College or Grand avenues. In 1951, she took at job, instead, at the pioneering O'Dell Realty Co., which sold homes to minorities, especially a fast-growing black population."
The entire write up can be found at
"It times like this that we depend on the word of God that reminds us that because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we will see Mother Hill and our loved ones who died in Christ again," said Pastor Brown. "Revelation 21 reminds us there will be a new heaven and a new earth and our enemy death will no longer exist."
The funeral services of Edith Hill are open to the public. Donations in her memory for the honor of Mrs. Hill as Mother of her Church, can be made to Miracles of Faith Community Church,
4335 Virginia Ave, Oakland, CA 94619. For more information contact Miracles of Faith Community Church at
510 536-6700.
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