Grace F. Hill

Grace Fields Hill, age 96, longtime Rogers educator, died Jan. 30, 2012, at Circle of Life Hospice at Legacy Village in Bentonville. She was born in Kingston, Ark., on Feb. 3, 1915, a daughter of the late Harry C. and Ola (Bunch) Fields. Grace graduated high school in Anderson, Missouri. She attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she received her Bachelor of Science degree and later earned her Master of Science degree in education. For six years she taught in Springdale before moving to Rogers Public Schools, where she remained for 35 years as a teacher, principal and curriculum coordinator until her retirement. A much-loved educator, her life's work was furthering the education opportunities for Benton County's children and youth. She was a strong advocate for libraries in elementary schools and scholarships for freshmen entering college. Grace F. Hill Elementary School on South Dixieland Road stands as a monument to her legacy of education. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rogers, where she was involved in various activities, and was also a member of the Kappa Kappa Iota Teachers' Sorority, the Delta Gamma Social Sorority, Rogers Panhellenic and various scholarship committees. She volunteered with many organizations, including St. Mary's Hospital where she was often seen in the gift gallery. Grace is survived by her son, Jack Hill and wife Anne of Little Rock; two nieces and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Radus Hill, to whom she was married fifty years at the time of his death in 1989; siblings Joel Bunch Fields, Harry C. Fields Jr., Jack H. Fields, and Mary Fields Randol. Graveside memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Benton County Memorial Park in Rogers, officiated by Rev. Sandra Wanasek. A reception will follow at First United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to First United Methodist Church, 307 W. Elm St., Rogers, 72756; or the Greer Lingle Scholarship Fund at Rogers Public Schools, attn: Sharon Schrantz, 500 W. Walnut St., Rogers 72756. Cremation arrangements are by Callison-Lough Funeral Home in downtown Rogers.