Jerline Herts Hill

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.." Psalms 23 JERLINE THE FAMILY MEMBER: Jerline was the eighth of fourteen sisters and brothers. She was born on February 1, 1934 in Marion, Louisiana to Hermon and Shelly M. Douglass Herts. In 1935 the family returned to Spearsville, Louisiana where Jerline grew up in a loving home, where older children looked after younger children, learned self-discipline, good manners, the meaning of hard work and self-reliance. Jerline was especially predisposed to insuring that the younger sisters and brothers practiced good hygiene under her watch. The house had to be especially clean. She was among the first of her siblings to own her own home. Sundays and holidays were spent at her home or at the family home in Spearsville, feasting on her cooking and her creative menus. These were excellent memories. Upon the death of her Mother, Jerline and her younger sister, Vera became the matriachs for the family. The two of them and their families have hosted and organized family events, including many family reunions. JERLINE THE MOTHER: Jerline was educated in the schools of Union Parish and was married to Willie James Owens immediately upon her graduation from Douglass High School in 1953. Her oldest daughter, "Baby" Esther Ruth died as an infant. Her second daughter Geraldine was born September 18, 1955. In 1962, Jerline married Wilson Hill and on December 8, 1966 their son Reanard O'Keith hill was born and Jerline stated that "life has not been the same since." The household which included Willie James Hill, the loving stepson, Geraldine and Keith made a very happy family. Jerline evolved as a great mother and god neighbor on their street. Through her children her influence was felt throughout the neighborhood. JERLINE AND HER SPIRITUAL LIFE: At an early age Jerline joined the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. She developed spiritually by participation as a member of the Usher Board, the Choir and Sunday School. After moving to El Dorado, Arkansas she became a member of First Baptist Church where she participated in several church affiliated ministries including Circle Ruth, Kitchen Ministry, Choir, Sunday School, Baptist Training Union and numerous special committees over an approximate 40 years of service. She was especially honored when the church membership asked her to serve as the Chairperson for the Pastors Search Committee. In August 2007, Jerline moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to be near her daughter. She joined the Silver Mount Baptist Church and was faithful to her spiritual life until her death. JERLINE PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC LIFE: Jerline was a dedicated employee at ConAgra Poultry Company for 42 years. During most of those years she owned her own business as a beautician. She also went into business as a home interior decorator. Later she had a joint business venture as a caterer. All of these businesses were very successful because she had a good sense of when to change and move on. Jerline was very civic minded and wanteded to do what she could to improve her "Beloved El Dorado". The Self-Culture Club a group of hard working women where she held membership for nearly 30 years. She was the specialist and vehicle used to do great and excellent things for El Dorado. Many years ago she brought the idea of a banquet to the membership. She and Ruby Walker and others worked hard to make the banquet a success. Jerline came up with the idea of the Martin Luther King Day Parade. It became an instant success. She participated in numerous activities that are to many to mention. She was a woman of ideas and was willing to work to operationalize ideas no matter the source. Farewell and God Blessings to all my family, friends and love ones. Do not mourn for me, I am going home to be with Jesus, Mama, Daddy, my "Baby" Esther Ruth and eight of my sisters and brothers. I will be waiting and watching for my children, Geraldine Hill-Hopson and her husband Harold Hopson of Charlotte, North Carolina,Reanard O'Keith Hill of Little Rock, Arkansas and Willie James Hill of Magnolia, Arkansas, James Earl Moore of Houston, Texas and Linda Washington and her husband James of El Dorado, Arkansas; my grandchildren, Derrick D. Jacks of St. Louis, Missiouri and Lakedra S. Hill and Reanard O'Keith Hill II both of Little Rock, Arkansas; sisters, Bobbie Jean Herts-Hill of Alameda, California, Effie Myrtis Herts-Armstrong of Junction City, Louisiana, Shirley A. Herts-Rolle of Little Rock, Arkansas, my brothers, Herman Herts of Carson, California and George E. Herts of Little Rock, Arkansas. I will be watching for C.H. Jackson and for all my neices, nephews, cousins and friends, I will be watching for you. For my road partners, Carolyn Barnes, my long time friend Alfriza Moore, my Circle Ruth Sisters, my Self-Culture Club Members and my Church. A Homegoing Celebration for Jerline will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at First Baptist Church-Cordell, El Dorado, Arkansas at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Pierce Moore officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, Spearsville, Louisiana under the direction of the Sims Mortuary Staff. Visitation for Jerline will be Friday, December 4, 2009 from 9:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 5, from 9:00am to 12 Noon. The body will lie in state at the church for viewing from 1:00pm until funeral time. The family will receive friends at the Country Suites Hotel, El Dorado, Arkansas. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerline Herts Hill, please visit our flower store.