Mary H. Hilliard

December 17, 1922 - March 10, 2022

Mary H. Hilliard, age 99 of Selbyville, DE, went home to be with her heavenly family on Thursday, March 10, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones at her home. She was born on December 17, 1922, in Wilson, NC, the oldest of twelve children of the late George Hagans and Lou Carrie Polk. Mary received her education in Wilson, NC. She later met and married her late husband, Dorsey Hilliard, Sr. in 1941. They later moved to Delaware and from this union came six children. Dorsey Hilliard, Sr. passed away in 1994. Mary always loved to read, which lead her to an in-depth study of the Bible. Mary studied with Walter and Louise Gaillord and was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness on July 19, 1972. She spent many hours sharing her Bible reading with family and friends. Mary was employed as a cook at the Lighthouse Diner and Philip C. Showell School in Selbyville. She also worked for the State of Delaware as a cook at the Stockley Center in Georgetown, from which she retired. Following her retirement from the state, Mary worked at Flower Haven in Selbyviile. During this time she and her husband opened Bob Jack’s Disco plus Pool Room in Williamsville, DE, a place for young black kids to go and have fun. Mary had many hobbies and interests. She loved cooking for family and friends, and we fondly remember her dirty rice, cakes, pies, and her delicious hamburger smothered in gravy, among other favorite foods that she prepared. An avid traveler, Mary enjoyed many trips with loved ones. Her most exciting trip was to the Dominican Republic. Mary, affectionately known as Mama, Mom-Mom, Mom Mary, Mom Hilliard, Miss Mary, Aunt Mary, Aunt Pie, Sister Mary, and Sister Hilliard was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her son, Lonnie Hilliard; her grandsons: John Hilliard Jr., Ronald Hilliard, and Brian MacKenzie; her brothers: David Pope and George, Melvin, Albert and Isaac Hagans; and her sisters: Reba Hagans, Sarah Smith, and Minnie Singletary. She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her daughters: Annie Handy (Lemuel) of Selbyville and Reva Bivens (Denver) of Roxana; her sons: John Hilliard (Rosetta), Dorsey Hilliard Jr., and Connie Hilliard (Maureen), all of Selbyville; her sisters: Luetta Bridges of Middlesex, NC and Arsmithe Harris of Richmond, VA; her brother, Willie Hagans, Sr. of Galveston, TX; and her sister-in-law, Margie Hagans of Selbyville. Mary has numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Making up four generations, this is her legacy. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 3:00 PM, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, 34874 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View, DE, where friends may visit beginning at 2:00 PM. Interment will be private. All who cannot attend in person are invited to join the services via zoom by using the following code:827629311, password 4365754. Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, masks are required and social distancing protocols must be observed by all persons participating in any aspect of the services. FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 12:00 PM, SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022, TO OUR OCEAN VIEW LOCATION.