‘Amen Lady’ Sister Hill among honorees for longtime service to Sumter community

On Sunday, June 12, Alive Praise and Worship Center hosted an All-White Affair honoring 10 community leaders for their service to the Sumter community.

One of the honorees was Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Sumter, member Frances D. Hill, affectionately known as “Sister Hill,” “Momma Hill” and the “Amen Lady.”

The award was presented by her daughter, Karren Hill Gordon.

“She is short in stature at 5 feet, 3 inches, but she has a gigantic persona,” said Hill-Gordon about her mother. “The first character trait that comes to mind is her generosity. My mother has always been generous of her time, energy, effort, love and her checkbook. She is the ultimate giver. She is the lady of the people and for the people, for advocacy, counseling and service to help those in need.”

One of Hill’s community staples is her church Mount Zion, on Loring Mill Road, where she is a dedicated member and serves loyally by supporting its ministries and other local churches in Sumter county.

Another is her help at First Baptist Church on Washington Street, where she served for more than 20 years as a Girl Scout Leader, arriving at 3:50 p.m. every Monday and pouring love and light into so many young girls.

And third is her longtime help at Wateree Community Actions Inc., where she served for 31 years assisting families in need. After her retirement in 2011, she continues to help people all over the community.

Many years ago, as Hill received an award for outstanding work in the community, Dr. Ruby Johnson wrote about Hill, ”Her liberal giving of time, possessions to the many memberships she holds, to Wateree Community Actions, to her church, to the community and to poor people’s causes has dubbed her a humanitarian of note.”

Now 32 years later, Hill still stands on these principles.

The All-White Affair was hosted by Alive Praise and Worship Center Pastor James Floyd Goodman and his wife, Lady Goodman.

Special musical guests were Houston national recording artist Zacardi Cortez and psalmist of New York Anton Milton.