Hester M. Hilton was born in Hartsville, South Carolina on March 30, 1932 , to the late Mr. & Mrs. James and Mary Phillips. She was educated in the Hartsville School system where she graduated in 1950 from Butler High School.
After graduation, Hester moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in pursuit of a more fulfilling life. After a year in Winston-Salem, Hester continued north to Washington, District of Columbia. It was here, in the Washington Metropolitan area, that Hester helped to relocate her mother and nine siblings.
In 1958 Hester met and married Lindburg Hilton. It was through this union that they had three children, Terrell, Vitro and Zenobia, and raised a loving family.
Hester enjoyed family, modeling, cooking, traveling the world, and being the epitome of all good things. Hester was happy making her homemade lemonade and handmade bean pies for family functions. Hester would always bring friends along to the family gatherings, and always showed up early to lend a helping hand.
After more than 30 years of service, Hester retired from the Washington Hospital Center. It was then that Hester and Lindburg decided to return to South Carolina to enjoy their senior living. While in Manning, Hester joined Biggers AME Baptist Church, where she volunteered for many church activities. Hester was also a proud member of the Red Hat Society.
In more recent years, Hester returned to Washington, District of Columbia to once again have the opportunity to enjoy her family and loved ones. It was during this time, she bonded with her caretaker, Theresa Hammonds.
Hester’s passing leaves a void for those she loved and cherished, and she will be missed by many. Preceding her in death is her husband, Lindburg Hilton; five siblings, James Phillips, June Phillips, Raymond Phillips, Dorothy Trueheart, and Mary Benjamin.
Hester leaves to cherish her memories, two sons, Terrell and Vitro Hilton, both of the Washington Metropolitan area; one daughter Zenobia Hilton, of Union City, GA; three sisters, Nancy Bush, Marion Harris, and Charity Phillips; one brother, Joseph Phillips, five grandchildren, Eric Rodgers, Dominic Faison, Christina Faison, Vanessa Hilton, and Zaria Franklin; two great grandchildren, Daniel and Elijah Schuler; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Hester Mae Hilton, please visit our floral store.