Family News

We are fortunate to have people in our lives that impact us, develop us into who we are, and encourage us to be the best that we can be. For Joy and Jan that started with Hilda Euletta Hatchette, but was instilled in her (and in many of us) for many years before by her mother and the foundation’s namesake, Martha Mason Hill.

Hilda was the fifth of seven daughters born on September 28, 1937, to the late Martha Mason Hill and Thomas Emmanuel Hill. She was a native of Chesterfield County, Virginia, where she graduated from Carver High School and attended Virginia State College. She accepted Christ and joined Union Grove Baptist Church at an early age. Hilda had a strong work ethic and was employed as a Health Care Technician at Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Medical Center until retirement.

Hilda was one of the founders of the Martha Mason Hill Memorial Foundation that was established in 1998 to assist students in Chesterfield County by providing academic scholarships to underrepresented, minority high school students. She was the assistant treasurer of the Board of Directors, a member of the Executive Committee, and the Hospitality Committee. Hilda supported and believed in the goals of the foundation and was constantly looking for ways to do more and have a greater impact. Like her mother, Hilda firmly believed that education opened doors and allowed students to achieve their dreams.

Family was always the center of Hilda's life. She loved the holidays and other special occasions when the family was able to get together and sit around the table and talk about fond memories. Hilda was a devoted, dedicated, and faithful mother, who always put her daughters first. She was our biggest fan, always supporting us and providing advice and guidance, along the way. And although she departed this life way too soon, on April 22, 2017, she will remain with us, in our hearts and in everything we do. Our prayers are that her legacy will live on through us and guide us in the work we do to support the foundation. We thank God for her and her faithfulness to us and the MMHMF. She will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.