Trustee Emeritus John L. Hill

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord... that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13 (KJV)

On December 24, 1934, in Prince George County, Virginia, John Langston Hill was born to the late Deacon Willie Hill and Deaconess Elizabeth Reaves Hill. Affectionately known to family and friends as “Lank,” “Pops,” and “Uncle Lank,” John was a hardworking, dependable, and family-oriented man whose life reflected faith, sacrifice, service, and love. After ninety-one years of life and labor, John peacefully completed his earthly journey on September 1, 2026.

John always carried a special love for his family roots and homeplaces of Prince George and Sussex, Virginia. No matter where life's journey took him, there was something special about home, the people, family connections, country roads, and memories that helped shape the man he became.

John received his early education at J.E.J. Moore School, a two-room school where children of various grade levels were educated during that time. Among his classmates was A. A. Tucker, who later became a funeral director. John was unable to complete his formal education because, at an early age, he made the sacrifice to help his mother and father provide for and care for their family. That early sacrifice demonstrated something his loved ones would see throughout his life—when family needed John, he was there.

John later attended auto mechanics school, developing skills that complemented his natural ability to work with his hands. He enjoyed repairing automobiles, fixing things, and tinkering with almost anything that needed attention. During his earlier years, he also assisted his classmate A. A. Tucker at Tucker's Funeral Home, helping when called upon with the solemn responsibility of removing and transporting the deceased at the time of death.

A man who understood the dignity of honest work, John worked as a truck driver and was employed for a number of years by Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation in Petersburg, Virginia. He later moved to New York, where he worked as a mechanic and served as a custodian at Emmanuel Baptist Church. After returning to Virginia, his employment included work with the City of Petersburg and Circuit City in Colonial Heights. Whatever the job, John believed in showing up, working hard, and taking care of his responsibilities.

Faith and the church were important parts of John's life. Throughout his journey, he was blessed to worship and fellowship with congregations connected to his faith and family. He worshiped at Little Mount Baptist Church in Disputanta, Virginia, the church of his father, Deacon Willie Hill. He also worshiped at Olive Branch Baptist Church, the church of his beloved wife, Leona. These houses of worship represented important connections to John's family, faith, and Christian heritage.

John's faithful church service was especially demonstrated at Sharon Baptist Church in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, where he served for many years as a Trustee under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Herbert W. Anderson. John understood that being a trustee meant more than holding a title; he believed in working.

After his cousin retired from caring for the churchyard, John faithfully assumed the responsibility of cutting and maintaining the church grounds for many years. He also served alongside the deacons, fellow trustees, and other church leaders in watching over the building project for the construction of Sharon's new church edifice under the leadership of Dr. Anderson. Whether cutting grass, checking the property, helping watch over the building project, fixing something that needed attention, or simply being available, John was willing to serve. He sang in the choir and male choir.

As the years passed and John's health began to decline, he was no longer able to serve as actively as he once had. His years of faithful labor, however, were not forgotten. Under the leadership of Pastor Terry Norman, John was honored as Trustee Emeritus of Sharon Baptist Church, recognizing his many years of faithful and dedicated service. Though declining health eventually prevented his hands from doing all they once had done, the work those hands had already accomplished continued to speak for him.

John's service extended beyond the walls of the church. He was a member of the SCLC Prince George Regional Chapter and a proud Master Mason affiliated with the 12th Masonic District. Whether serving his church, supporting his community, helping his family, or lending a hand wherever needed, John believed in doing his part.

John knew how to work, but he also knew how to enjoy life's simple pleasures. He loved fishing, hunting, camping, working with his hands, and tinkering. Fishing was especially one of his favorite pastimes. Those who knew Lank well can almost picture him sitting peacefully by the water with his fishing pole in hand and his pipe nearby, taking a smoke from time to time while patiently waiting for the fish to bite. Sometimes it was not about how many fish he caught; he simply enjoyed the peace and quiet of being near the water. He also loved playing checkers, doing puzzles, and playing board games.

Then there was Lank in the kitchen. John tried his best to cook! Cooking may not have been his greatest gift, but he could do enough in the kitchen to survive, and somehow, he always managed to put something together when he was hungry. It is one of those memories that will continue to bring smiles and laughter to those who knew him best.

Anyone who knew Lank also knew that he believed in looking good and smelling good. John was a sharp dresser who took pride in his appearance. He especially loved his Stacy Adams shoes and cowboy boots. His clothes were sharp, his shoes were right, and his cologne completed the outfit. Whether going to church, visiting family, attending an event, or simply heading out for the day, Lank believed in stepping out looking and smelling his best.

John shared his life with his beloved wife, Leona Juanita Crump Hill, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Deacon Willie Hill and Deaconess Elizabeth Reaves Hill; his sister, Elizabeth B. Brown; his maternal grandparents, Langston Reaves and Sarah Walker Reaves; several beloved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law on both sides of the family; and other dear relatives and loved ones who completed their earthly journeys before him.

Although John had no biological children of his own, his life was abundantly filled with children and grandchildren of the heart. He played a tremendous role in raising, guiding, supporting, and caring for members of his family. To some he was Uncle Lank; to others he was Pops; and to those he helped raise and guide, he was a father and grandfather in every way that mattered.

John leaves to cherish his precious memory his loving baby sister, Missionary Mattie Hill McCray, with whom he shared a special and treasured bond; his beloved nieces and nephews, Linda B. English, whom he loved like a daughter, and her late husband, Bobby English, Sr.; Deacon Lloyd A. Batts (Brenda), whom he helped raise and loved like his own son; Diane Gilliam (Deacon Tony); Barry Brown, whose wife, Avonda, preceded him in death; Juliet Winfield (Michael); Joseph McCray (Pamela); Brenda McCray; and John McCray.

He also shared a particularly special bond with his nephew, Maurice (Sherilyn), and treasured the love, fellowship, and memories they shared.

His beloved great-nieces and great-nephews include Bobby English, Jr.; Darrien Crenshaw (Taisha); Bobby Alexander, Jr. (Life); Marcus Robb; Blair Brown; Tiffany Fulgham (Carlos); Tara Winfield; Tionna Winfield; Taryn Powell; Langston McCray; and Mia Steele.

Especially dear to John's heart were his beloved goddaughter, Ja'Nita Dickens; his grandson, Rev. Dr. Damion T. Batts (Deaconess Danielle), with whom he shared a deeply treasured bond; his beloved grandson, Vernon L. Jones II, who held a very special place in his heart; and his beloved granddaughter/niece, Siobhan Xavier (Merrie), with whom he shared an awesome and special bond.

The family lovingly acknowledges Shelton Goodwyn, Herbert Goodwyn, and Deacon Lucille Goodwyn, who faithfully looked out for John through the years. Their kindness, concern, friendship, and loving care shown toward him will forever be remembered and deeply appreciated.

The family also extends heartfelt appreciation to the Petersburg Healthcare Center in Petersburg, Virginia, and its entire staff for the care, kindness, and compassion shown to our beloved John. We are equally grateful to the dedicated staff of At Home Care & Hospice in Colonial Heights, Virginia, who provided compassionate care, comfort, and support to John and his family during the final season of his earthly journey. To every nurse, caregiver, aide, hospice team member, and staff person who cared for John and treated him with dignity, our family simply says, “Thank you.”

John also leaves to cherish his memory a host of great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family members, church family, Masonic brothers, SCLC family, neighbors, and dear friends.

John Langston Hill came from a generation that understood hard work, sacrifice, responsibility, faith, family, and service. He did not need recognition for everything he did. He simply believed in doing what needed to be done.

Now the fishing pole may be still, the pipe has been laid down, the tools have been put away, the lawn mower has made its final round, the cowboy boots can rest, and the Stacy Adams have been put away. That familiar scent of his cologne will now become one of those precious reminders that carries his loved ones back to treasured moments with Lank.

Those hardworking hands that spent so many years fixing, building, driving, cutting grass, providing, helping, serving, and caring for others have completed their earthly assignment.

The Scripture declares, “their works do follow them.” John's earthly labor has ended, but his works still follow him. His legacy lives in the family he helped raise. His service lives in the churches and communities he loved. His fingerprints remain on the work his hands helped accomplish. His laughter lives in the stories his family will continue to tell. His memory travels those familiar roads of Prince George and Sussex that always meant home to him, and most of all, his love lives in the hearts of those who will never forget him.

Rest well, Lank. Rest well, Pops. Rest well, Uncle Lank.

Your earthly work is finished, but your love, your labor, and your legacy will live on for generations to come.

Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Sharon Baptist Church, 26804 Fort Emory Road, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Terry Norman, Pastor, and Rev. Dr. Damion T. Batts, eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/6171301?fl=so&fe=fs