Judy Carolyn Howell Hill

Judy Carolyn Howell was born on September 3, 1943, in Vicksburg, to Samuel Zebedee Lafayette Howell and Ruby Lee Barrett Howell. After a lengthy illness, with her bed surrounded by the family who cherished her so deeply, Judy, age 83, ran into the arms of Jesus on September 15, 2026.

Surely the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23), rang through Heaven as Judy entered her eternal home. There awaited a longed-for reunion with Charles Monroe Hill, her beloved husband of 55 years; her oldest daughter, Terri; granddaughter, Addisyn; her parents, sisters, mother-in-love, grandparents; and other family and friends who had gone before her. Although we rejoice in knowing she is healed and whole, Judy -- Momma, Precious Mother, Maw-Maw, Judy Bug, Aunt Judy, Sister Judy, and friend -- will be dearly missed. The hole left in our hearts cannot be measured, but we will cherish her memory until Jesus calls us home and we are reunited. Judy's life beckons each of us to be ready to meet Jesus when He calls.

Judy grew up in Satartia -- or, as she would clarify, Germania, MS, in the rural MS Delta. Her father was a humble cotton farmer who paid the doctor with a family raised hog when Judy was born. She often reminisced about her parents and sisters filling their cotton bags row after row. As the beloved youngest of three children, Judy admitted she occasionally sat atop the filled cotton bags eating candy bought for a nickel at Newman's Store just down the road. She may not have picked quite as much cotton as the others, but she did her share.

Listening to her parents pray before daylight and before the long workday began, Judy learned early to love Jesus. At seven years old, she received the Holy Ghost and was baptized in Jesus' name in the Yazoo River. That faith became the foundation of her life.

It also led her to the love of her life, Charles. They met in 1959 at First Pentecostal Church of Laurel. Judy loved reminiscing about riding through the hills of Soso, Mississippi, in his 1957 Chevy. "I fell in love with that boy. He taught my nephew's Sunday school class."

While living in Yazoo City and working for the telephone company, she frequently rode the bus to Jones County to see "that boy." They married on May 19, 1963, beginning a love story that would span 55 years.

Their first home was a one-room house near Mama and Papa Griffin's home in Laurel. After living briefly in Nevada, they moved to Jackson, and eventually returned to their country roots in Raymond in 1971. Their daughters Terri, Karen, and Kim welcomed their youngest sister, Charlie Alicia, in 1979.

While living in Jackson, Judy and Charles opened Wonder World Imports, importing exotic animals. One of Judy's favorite stories involved calling Farmer Jim's radio show after an ocelot escaped from her car while she was transporting it to its new owner (yes in her car). She warned the community: "This is not the kind of cat you say, 'Here, kitty, kitty' to!" It was classic Judy humor -- sometimes reserved, always memorable.

She took real estate classes at Hinds Community College, where she was later asked to return and teach. Judy became a successful real estate agent and dynamic broker, eventually owning and operating Judy Hill Realty. Known as the "Million Dollar Lady," she successfully sold real estate even when interest rates soared to 16-18 percent. Rain or shine, day or night, weekend or holiday, Judy answered the call. "Her lamp does not go out at night."

Her former office building in Raymond still stands today as a cornerstone both literally and figuratively speaking. The mural on its brick exterior, donated to the town by Charles and Judy, remains a reminder of their contribution to the community and of a life demonstrating that faith was accompanied by works.

Answering a call to missions that had begun years earlier, they established a home missions church in an old logging community at Blakely Camp in Jessieville, Arkansas. Blakely Camp United Pentecostal Church became much more than a building. The people of "The Camp" became family.

Their daughter, Kimberly moved to Hot Springs also built on the mountain top while oldest daughter Karen supported them from afar remaining in their home state of Mississippi.

Judy cared for both young and old. She even taught reading and writing to women in the community who needed help with literacy.

Years before the Arkansas ministry began, Judy and Charles, along with their three girls, Brother and Sister Nations, and their three boys, established First United Pentecostal Church in Raymond, Mississippi. Their passion for sharing Jesus eventually led Judy and Charles into more than three decades of home missions together.

Yet amid ministry and business, Judy's greatest earthly treasure was her family.

She adored her four girls, their guys, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. Family meant traveling, searching for crystals, visiting the wax museum, fishing, camping, shopping, going to the beach, attending beloved family reunions sitting together on the porch, and, of course, getting ice cream.

Judy loved candy, snow cones, Icees, and sweet treats. Maw-Maw's big breakfasts, especially biscuits and chocolate gravy, became family favorites. She loved sewing, cooking, reading her Bible, telling stories, and working her word-search books.

When Charles became ill, Judy faithfully cared for the man she loved. Endless nights with little sleep brought not complaints, but more prayer.

Her love for her husband and family was second only to her love for Jesus. If you knew Judy, you knew she loved Jesus. Her gentle spirit, sweet smile, and soft yet strong hands will never be forgotten.

Twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren brought immeasurable laughter and joy to Maw-Maw's life. You never had to wonder how she felt about her grandchildren. Within just a few minutes of conversation, Judy would tell you about those precious ones and how proud she was of them. Each had a story, and each knew they were loved.

Sneaking them a piece of candy, a little Dr Pepper, or giving them a small prize brought her tremendous joy. Judy was a giver who would always rather give than receive. She brought life, laughter, and happiness to her family and to so many beyond it.

As we celebrate the life of Judy Hill, we ask for continued prayers for the family who will miss her dearly: daughters Karen Hill Bedells (Barry), Kimberly Hill Taylor (David), and Charlie Hill Pitts (Jason); son-in-law Sam Scroggins; granddaughters Sydney (Eric), Maegan (Hayden), Natalie (Alex), Bari (Cody), Hannah (Doug), Lexi (Garrett), Bella, Sophie, and Aceleigh; grandsons Zach (Stacey), Isaac (Crystal), and Caleb; great-grandchildren Reed, Addy, Paisley, Zeke, Paxton, Ruth, Emerson, Sadie, Pearson, and Lyla; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and other extended family members whom she loved and cherished.

With much gratitude, the family thanks the staff and caregivers of The Caring Place in Hot Springs, Arkansas; Arkansas Hospice/Lifetouch Health; Always Home Caregiving of Hot Springs; Village Golf and Therapy; and Healthy Connections' Nurse Practitioner Zach Geiling of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

Please join us for services on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Christian Ministries Church, 400 Brook Hill Ranch Road, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

Visitation with family and friends will begin at 1PM, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2PM. A graveside service will follow at Crestview Memorial Cemetery, 3077 East Grand Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Arrangements are being handled by Hot Springs Funeral Home in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Judy loved flowers, and they will beautifully brighten her Life Celebration. However, memorial donations may be made to the "Clark Kern Memorial Scholarship" at Christian Ministries Church or to Judy's beloved "The Caring Place" in Hot Springs, where she was a featured artist and where her artwork was purchased in support of the Alzheimer's Association.

Judy truly embodied the woman described in Proverbs 31. A virtuous woman whose worth is far above rubies.

ED. NOTE: Edited for length. The full obituary may be viewed online at www.hotspringsfh.com.