HILLS, ERNEST ALLEN - Columbia County, Arkansas | ERNEST ALLEN HILLS - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

Ernest Allen HILLS

Cedar Grove (Waldo) (African American) Cemetery
Columbia County,
Arkansas

June 2, 1942 - May 27, 2018

Ernest Allen Hills, known by many as “Mr. Hills” or “The Mayor of Cottonbelt”, was born on June 2, 1942, in Zachary, Louisiana, to the late Bertha Allen Hills. He entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 27, 2018.

Mr. Hills graduated from Chaneyville High School in Zachary, LA, in 1960. He pursued his post-secondary education; and he attained his Bachelor's Degree at Grambling State University in Grambling, LA. He went further with his educational quests and received his Master's Degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Because he was an avid learner, he also received graduate certifications at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR.

After graduating from Grambling State University, Mr. Hills relocated to Arkansas to begin his career in education. He taught at Westside School in Waldo, AR; Ellis School in Stamps, AR; and he spent the majority of his career at Central Elementary School in Magnolia, AR. As a classroom teacher, Mr. Hills taught math and science. He later moved into administration as Assistant Principal, then he received the most honorable promotion as Magnolia School District’s first African-American Principal.

In 1965, he made a lifelong commitment to his own treasured flower, Daisy Chambers Hills. To this union, came two beautiful, doting daughters —DaLesia Hills Boyd and Shanta LaTrice Hills.

Mr. Hills was very loyal in the community and active in his church, New Bethel A.M.E. Church in Waldo, AR—where he served as Head Steward, choir member, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, Superintendent of the Camden-El Dorado District, as well as other offices and numerous responsibilities.

In addition to all above-mentioned hats worn by Mr. Hills, he was a dedicated member of The Brotherhood Men’s Bible Study Group, served as Worshipful Master of the Golden Diem Masonic Lodge #41, Prince Hall Affiliate, and he was also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Mr. Hills is preceded in death by his mother Bertha Allen Hills; his sister Dorothy Smith; and two brothers Eugene Hills and Richard Smith.

Mr. Hills is survived by his wife of 53 years, Daisy Hills; daughters, DaLesia (Cedric) Boyd of League City, TX, and Shanta Hills of Waldo, AR; grandson, Dailen Hills; granddaughter, Kaya Boyd; sister, Louvilla Holliday of Zachary, LA; friend/brother, Clyde Anderson of Zachary, LA; a very special niece, Evelyn Gail Pickens of Waldo, AR; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and special friends, including Lee Brown of Waldo, AR.

Contributed on 12/22/20 by debbraszymanski
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 1357083

To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.

Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.

Submitted: 12/22/20 • Approved: 12/23/20 • Last Updated: 12/26/20 • R1357083-G0-S3

Surnames  |  Other GPP Projects  |  Contact Us  |  Terms of Use  |  Site Map  |  Admin Login