Deacon James Stanley Hill

Remember family, but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

- Isaiah 40:31

James Stanley Hill—affectionately known to friends and family as “Pete”—peacefully entered his rest on July 22, 2025 at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Va. Born April 7, 1944, in Emporia, Virginia, he was the cherished son of the late James and Mittie Anne Hill and lovingly preceded in death by his two older sisters, Magnolia and Rosalee. A 1962 graduate of E. W. Wyatt High School, Pete went on to study at Virginia State University before launching a remarkable forty-plus-year career in fiber-optics. Pete served Western Electric, BellSouth, AT&T and, ultimately, Lucent Technologies with steadfast skill and unwavering dedication until his retirement having only had a single interview for the span of his career.

Grounded in faith from his earliest days, Pete embraced his Savior as a child and spent every subsequent year living out his conviction. On June 10, 1965, he married his teenage sweetheart, Ethel Jones, beginning more than six decades of devotion, partnership and love. Together they nurtured their daughters Sharon and Dana in Washington, D.C., then Suitland, Maryland, and finally back to Emporia, Virginia in his beloved Sunnyside community—where neighbors watched out for one another and everyone was family.

A faithful deacon of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Pete was as comfortable preparing the church for service as he was tending the lawn of a shut-in or driving a congregant to a medical appointment. He took part in every revival, anniversary and Sunday School Union within reach, convinced that service—both spiritual and practical—was the truest form of worship. When he wasn’t at church, you’d find him cheering on the Washington Redskins, tending his garden, casting a fishing line or simply soaking up family time on vacations.

Pete’s legacy of faith, service and gentle kindness lives on in his devoted wife of 60+ years, Ethel Hill of Emporia, VA; daughters Sharon Smith (Danny) of Charlotte, NC, and Dana Mason (Boston “Alphonso”) of Chesterfield, VA; grandchildren LaTonya Hite (Larry) of Petersburg, VA, Brittany Moton (Elisha) of Concord, NC, Brandon Smith (Orayana) of Charlotte, NC, Bethany Mason of Chesterfield, VA,  and his newest blessing great-grandson, Mekhi Moton of Concord, NC. He is also celebrated by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and the extended family of Oak Grove Baptist Church and neighboring congregations.

Even in his final hours, he continued to shower his family with words of encouragement and love. Fully aware of what lay ahead for him, he laughed, spoke, and cracked jokes with us until he peacefully closed his eyes for the last time. May we carry forward Pete’s example—running without weariness in good works, walking without fainting through life’s challenges, and shining the love of Christ wherever we go.

Relatives and Friends are encouraged to visit Deacon Hill's tribute wall to share memories, extend condolences and to order floral tributes, as sentiments to the family. 

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