"Granny" Nellie Waddell Hill

Our beloved mother and “Granny,” Nellie Lee Waddell Hill, went to live in her heavenly home on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at the age of 91.

The scripture readings from Matthew 25:23 and Proverbs 31beautifully portray how she lived her life every day, “His lord said unto him, well done, good and faithful servant.” “She is clothed with strength and dignity. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Her children arise and call her blessed. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Her life was filled with love, compassion, kindness and empathy. She was a shining example of Christ’s light and love. One of her favorite songs was “Go Light Your World,” and she would encourage each of us to “Go Light Our World” with the light of Christ.

Nellie was born in Alleghany County on August 3, 1933, to the late Welter Holtz and Elsie Kirby Waddell. She graduated from Sparta High School in 1949. Her classmates were her lifelong friends, with whom she enjoyed many reunions. She attained her B.S. degree in Home Economics from The Woman’s College of the University of NC at Greensboro in 1953.

After college, she moved to Mount Airy, NC to serve as a Home Extension Agent. It was there that she was introduced to the love of her life, Arnold Creed Hill. Together they built a beautiful life with three children, lots of family and many wonderful church and community friends.

She taught at Copeland High School and Surry Central High School (Science, Home Economics and Food Services). Teaching was her passion and students were her ministry. She taught with grace, empathy and an abundance of kindness. She loved her students and her fellow teachers. Until the end of her earthly days, she shared wonderful stories of students and could recall exactly where they sat in class and the food and clothing items that they made.

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (Arnold Hill), her son (Fred Hill) and her sister (Lettie Sue Waddell Duncan). Left to cherish her memory and continue her loving kindness are her daughters, Nancy Hill and Cynthia Hensley; her beloved son-in-law Roger Hensley; her grandchildren whom she loved with all of her being, Daniel Hensley and Christina Hensley; and the light of her life were her great grandchildren, Lizzy and Ayla Hensley; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

We will celebrate her beautiful life on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM, in the Dobson First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. We invite all who attend to feel comfortable wearing spring colors (or whatever makes you comfortable). She loved beautiful flowers, and we want to honor her with beautiful colors.

After the service, we invite you to visit Nellie’s family and friends in the church fellowship hall, where we will share light refreshments in her honor.

Nellie’s greatest joy was making cakes and serving others. It is our joy to continue her kindness by sharing food and memories in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations to the Dobson First Baptist Church “Local Missions” Ministry. Nellie loved this ministry and took joy in making hundreds of crocheted baby caps for the NICU unit. In addition to crocheting, Nellie’s family called her the local “historian” because she loved her community and could recall great memories with the beautiful people in this area. She loved people and she always saw the best in everyone.

We want to extend a sincere thank you to all her family, church family, friends, students, caregivers, and Mountain Valley Hospice. Each of you treated our mom with such love and care. Your many acts of kindness have been a blessing to our mom and her family. Moody-Davis Funeral Service in Dobson is serving the Hill family