Mary H. Hilliard, state retiree
Mary H. Hilliard, 99, of Selbyville, went home to be with her heavenly family Thursday, March 10, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones at her home. She was born Dec. 17, 1922, in Wilson, N.C., the oldest of 12 children of the late George Hagans and Lou Carrie Polk.
Mary received her education in Wilson, N.C. She later met and married her husband Dorsey Hilliard Sr. in 1941. They later moved to Delaware and from this union came six children. Dorsey Hilliard Sr. passed away in 1994.
Mary always loved to read, which led her to an in-depth study of the Bible. Mary studied with Walter and Louise Gaillord, and was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness July 19, 1972. She spent many hours sharing her Bible reading with family and friends.
Mary was employed as a cook at the Lighthouse Diner and Philip C. Showell School in Selbyville. She also worked for the State of Delaware as a cook at the Stockley Center in Georgetown, from which she retired. Following her retirement from the state, Mary worked at Flower Haven in Selbyville. During this time, she and her husband opened Bob Jack’s Disco plus Pool Room in Williamsville, a place for young black kids to go and have fun.
Mary had many hobbies and interests. She loved cooking for family and friends, and we fondly remember her dirty rice, cakes, pies, and delicious hamburger smothered in gravy, among other favorite foods that she prepared. An avid traveler, Mary enjoyed many trips with loved ones. Her most exciting trip was to the Dominican Republic.
Mary, affectionately known as Mama, Mom-Mom, Mom Mary, Mom Hilliard, Miss Mary, Aunt Mary, Aunt Pie, Sister Mary, and Sister Hilliard was loved by many, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her son, Lonnie Hilliard; her grandsons: John Hilliard Jr., Ronald Hilliard, and Brian MacKenzie; her brothers: David Pope and George, Melvin, Albert, and Isaac Hagans; and her sisters: Reba Hagans, Sarah Smith, and Minnie Singletary.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her daughters: Annie Handy (Lemuel) of Selbyville, and Reva Bivens (Denver) of Roxana; her sons: John Hilliard (Rosetta), Dorsey Hilliard Jr., and Connie Hilliard (Maureen), all of Selbyville; her sisters: Luetta Bridges of Middlesex, N.C., and Arsmithe Harris of Richmond, Va.; her brother, Willie Hagans Sr. of Galveston, Texas; and her sister-in-law, Margie Hagans of Selbyville. Mary has numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Making up four generations, this is her legacy.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 9, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, 34874 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, where friends may visit beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will be private.
Visit Mary’s Life Memorial and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
