Mrs. Vera C. Hillian
August 18, 2015
Mrs. Vera Covater Hillian, 80, passed away unexpectedly at Wake Forest Baptist Health on Tuesday, August 18, 2015.
She was born to the late Sarah Elizabeth Mitchell Cooper and Denver David Cooper in Pine Hall, NC on September 28, 1934. She was reared in Walkertown, NC by Uncles Garfield and William Mitchell and Warren Fulp.
Vera attended the public schools of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and was a 1952 graduate of Carver Consolidated School. Following graduation she attended Winston-Salem Teachers’ College (WSSU) on a full scholarship from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and earned a BS Degree in Education. She then earned Master’s Degrees from Atlanta University and San Francisco State University.
Mrs. Hillian successfully served for 48 years as a teacher in the public schools, associate professor at Atlanta University and as project director with the MLK Dream Center in Atlanta.
Her family returned to Winston-Salem where she joined St Paul United Methodist Church, becoming a vital member of several auxiliaries of the church.
Mrs. Hillian was known for her social leadership. Her time was shared with Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc, Phi Omega Chapter, Winston-Salem State University Alumni, Brown Chapter and her fun loving Pinochle Club friends. Additionally she was noted for planning events.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Michael Dale Penn and her daughter Karyn Elizabeth Anne Hillian.
Those family members who survive and who will forever cherish loving memories of her include her husband SFC James L. Hillian; her devoted son, Kenneth R. Penn; and she has also been a parent to Frankie Denise Penn Powell, Roderick (Michelle) Hillian, Michael (Nicole) Rockhead, Elaine Hillian and Michelle Hillian. And her memory will remain forever with her newest love, grandson, Cameron Craig; her sisters and brothers, Robert (Elizabeth) Cooper, James W. Cooper, Derondia Cooper-Hines, Shelva Jean Cooper and James S. Copney; her in-laws, Calvin (Nancy) Hillian, Sr., Clifton E. (Constance) Hillian, Evangelist Annie Campbell, Viola Werts and Donald Johnson; Vera will also be missed by a host of cherished friends and confidants locally and beyond.
A Celebration of Life will take place at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at St Paul United Methodist Church with Pastor Donald Jenkins officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Church Cemetery in Walkertown, NC. Ivy Beyond The Wall will take place at 11:30 a.m. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church at 12 pm.
She was born to the late Sarah Elizabeth Mitchell Cooper and Denver David Cooper in Pine Hall, NC on September 28, 1934. She was reared in Walkertown, NC by Uncles Garfield and William Mitchell and Warren Fulp.
Vera attended the public schools of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and was a 1952 graduate of Carver Consolidated School. Following graduation she attended Winston-Salem Teachers’ College (WSSU) on a full scholarship from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and earned a BS Degree in Education. She then earned Master’s Degrees from Atlanta University and San Francisco State University.
Mrs. Hillian successfully served for 48 years as a teacher in the public schools, associate professor at Atlanta University and as project director with the MLK Dream Center in Atlanta.
Her family returned to Winston-Salem where she joined St Paul United Methodist Church, becoming a vital member of several auxiliaries of the church.
Mrs. Hillian was known for her social leadership. Her time was shared with Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc, Phi Omega Chapter, Winston-Salem State University Alumni, Brown Chapter and her fun loving Pinochle Club friends. Additionally she was noted for planning events.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Michael Dale Penn and her daughter Karyn Elizabeth Anne Hillian.
Those family members who survive and who will forever cherish loving memories of her include her husband SFC James L. Hillian; her devoted son, Kenneth R. Penn; and she has also been a parent to Frankie Denise Penn Powell, Roderick (Michelle) Hillian, Michael (Nicole) Rockhead, Elaine Hillian and Michelle Hillian. And her memory will remain forever with her newest love, grandson, Cameron Craig; her sisters and brothers, Robert (Elizabeth) Cooper, James W. Cooper, Derondia Cooper-Hines, Shelva Jean Cooper and James S. Copney; her in-laws, Calvin (Nancy) Hillian, Sr., Clifton E. (Constance) Hillian, Evangelist Annie Campbell, Viola Werts and Donald Johnson; Vera will also be missed by a host of cherished friends and confidants locally and beyond.
A Celebration of Life will take place at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at St Paul United Methodist Church with Pastor Donald Jenkins officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Church Cemetery in Walkertown, NC. Ivy Beyond The Wall will take place at 11:30 a.m. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church at 12 pm.