Obituary of Bernice Hill

Bernice Boozer Hill, 97, of Cayce, SC, passed away at her home May 5, 2012. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, May 8, 2012, in the Melrose Cemetery, Hwy 321, Swansea, SC. The family will receive friends at Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration, 1301 12th Street, Cayce, from 12:30- 1:30 pm, with a Memorial Service following at 2:00 pm, officiated by The Reverend Alexander H. Twedt. Bernice, loving wife of the late Grover C Hill, daughter of the late Thomas Jacob Boozer and Bessie Garrett Boozer, grew up in Swansea and attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She graduated Swansea High School in 1933 and went on to earn a degree in Music from Lander College. Bernice was president of the Lander College Christian Association and the first Freshman Soloist in the College Choir. A life-long educator, Bernice began her teaching career in Saluda SC. After marrying Grover on June 29, 1940, she moved back to Swansea to teach high school during WWII. She later became Principal of a 3 teacher school in Gaston. Part of her duties included climbing the Gaston Lookout Fire Tower each month to receive the paychecks from the School Board Chairman. Moving to Cayce in 1955, Bernice taught at R Earl Davis Elementary School where she mentored numerous student teachers. She was fondly known by her students as the "Whistling Teacher" and a champion Kick-Ball Player. Bernice was voted Teacher of the Year in 1977 by her peers. Mrs. Hill retired after 37 years of teaching from Lexington School District Two. In 1991 the District inducted her into the Heroes and Heroines Hall of Fame. For 50 years, Bernice was a Sister of the Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators, Fidelis Zeta Chapter. Bernice served on the Lexington County Library Board and was a Commissioner for the Cayce-West Columbia Housing Authority, 1981 - 1990. A charter member of The Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration, Bernice served in many capacities over the last 57 years, including VBS teacher, choir, pulpit committee, and the first female Church Council member. Mrs. Hill was active in the Cayce Garden Club, Cayce Civinettes, and Lexington County Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed playing the piano, soft shoe dancing, telling a clever joke, and tending the flowers her husband Grover had cultivated in the 1950's. Bernice never missed a family reunion. Surviving are her daughter, Janice Hill Mathile and husband Dallas of Centerville OH; grandchildren: Kimberley Mathile Wallgren and husband Jake of Zionsville IN, and Anthony Thomas Mathile of Brooklyn NY; great grandchildren Averie, Hazel, and Dallas Wallgren; many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by sisters Ruby King and Thelma Galloway and brother Wilbur Boozer. The family would like to express appreciation to her many friends who helped care for and shower her with love and kindness. A special thank you to caregiver Ruthie Hughes whose presence made it possible for Bernice to continue to live in her home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Bernice B Hill may be given to Lutheran Church of The Transfiguration, 1301 12th St., Cayce, SC 29033 or Newberry Boys Farm Inc, PO Box 713, Newberry SC 29108. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family.