Zelma Hill

Zelma Ann Hill was born on April 28, 1935, in Washington County, Texas to the late Esque Sr. and Lena Mae Sanders. Zelma was the third eldest of eight children. In the early 1940s, the growing family left behind a life as cotton farm sharecroppers near Calvert, Texas, and headed west to Fort Worth in search of better conditions. As a young girl, Zelma had a lively spirit, and a calm demeanor, and was a natural servant. She was very responsible and often tasked with taking care of her siblings– something she took great pride in doing. Zelma’s nurturing and benevolent spirit continued throughout her life. Her kind heart was evident in everything she associated with, from her personal life and career; to the loving way she served her church and community. Upon settling in Fort Worth, the Sanders family joined Mayfield Missionary Baptist Church. It is where Zelma dedicated her life to Christ, grew tremendously in her faith, and dutifully served for more than seven decades. Zelma was among the first-ever graduating class of Dunbar High School in 1957. Her faithful service and contributions to the Dunbar Alumni Association for her class spanned many decades. On September 3rd, 1968 Zelma married the love of her life, United States Air Force airman Paul Lawrence Hill. The happy couple enjoyed life to the fullest. Zelma was an electrical assembler for Texas Instruments, Inc. in Dallas. Aside from their busy careers, Zelma and Paul found time to travel, celebrate milestones, and spend time with family and friends. Zelma’s dedication to her church was extraordinary. Her desire was always to provide special support for her pastor, including the late Rev. R.V. Jones in the earlier years and the current pastor, Dr. Larry T. Hall. Her notable service over the years as a faithful member of Mayfield Missionary Baptist Church includes coordinator of the annual church anniversary, member of the budget committee, vacation bible school teacher, secretary of her Sunday School class, choir member, delivered meals to homebound members and routinely visited with those who were ill or disabled. Zelma entered retirement after working for more than twenty years, however, she refused to sit at home when so many people in the world needed help. She simply wanted to continue to serve. At that time Zelma, along with Paul who had also retired, decided to embark on a new journey to volunteer their time at Baylor Scott and White All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth. The couple, over the course of thirty years, served in various support roles at the hospital. Their warm presence became a welcoming staple in the hospital lobby for thousands of Baylor patients, their families, and visitors. In 2019 on their final day of service, the hospital honored Zelma and Paul with a special recognition for their decades of service. FOX 4 News also featured the couple in an evening news report, highlighting their volunteerism. Zelma Ann Hill is survived by her husband Paul Hill. She also leaves behind three brothers, Esque, Sanders, Jr. (Addie), Charles Ray Sanders (Betty), and Harvey Sanders (Vicki). Zelma is preceded in death by her parents, Esque Sanders, Sr., Lena Mae Sanders, her brothers, Arthur Sanders, and Edward Sanders, also her sisters, Essie Sanders Floyd and Evelyn Sanders Strawther. Zelma is also survived by her brother-in-law Samith Hill and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. In a special tribute to Zelma’s love for fashion and style, many of Zelma’s nieces are wearing hats from her extensive and exquisite wardrobe. Zelma, for many decades, cherished her beloved God children, Alfred Davis, of San Diego, California, Reginald Rembert (Ida) of Flower Mound, Texas, and her special God granddaughter Shaneal Johnson of Forest Hill, Texas.