Mr. James Hilliard

    Mr. James Hilliard of Fayetteville was born on March 12, 1935. He transitioned from time to eternal rest on March 19, 2024.

   James attended Public School in Alabama and Georgia. He moved to Miami, Florida where he met and married Ernestine Sanders and produced three children. He held various occupations before becoming an entrepreneur, independent landscaper for 25 years. He was employed by
several famous people in Miami and Miami Beach, (Betty Wright, Flip         Wilson ...). He also received contracts with the city, county and private businesses. As a business owner, he felt it was very important to employ members of the community that were in need of a break and/or facing
challenges.

     Even though he lived in the city/suburbs, the countryside was really what he enjoyed. He enjoyed riding horses and farming, so whenever he got a chance he would steal away to do that. When he decided to retire, his next venture was a country store/fruit stand which was within walking distance from his home in Opa Locka, FL.

     James was a man of faith. He led his family to worship services weekly as a unit. He became a Deacon at Bright Morning Star Baptist Church in Miami, FL. He served as a Deacon in Miami before leaving Florida in 2012. He continued as a Deacon at Sandy Grove Baptist Church of Lumberton, NC under the leadership of Rev. T.S. Byrd to the present leadership of Rev. Kelvin Barnes.

     He spent quality with his family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Omie Williams and father, Dorsey Swingan and adopted parents, Doc Hilliard (Gussie), brother, Hiawatha Hilliard (Minnie), step brother, JD Washington, step sisters, Williebelle Peterson (Dan), Ruby Baker (Roosevelt) and Bessie Bennett (James).

     He leaves to cherish his memory, one daughter, Beverlyn Hilliard-Symonette of Fayetteville, NC, two sons, Jeffery Hilliard of New York and Dwaine Hilliard of Lumberton, NC and a step daughter, Wanda Sanders-Hough (David) of Elizabethtown, NC, six grandchildren, Charquilla  Symonette of Greenville, NC, Charquoia Symonette-Corbitt (Josh) of Buford, GA, Yolonda Sanders of New York, David Hough Jr., Jeremy Hough and Sarena Sanders all of Elizabethtown, NC, one great grandchild and seven great-great grandchildren, a step brother, Otis Washington (Osie) of Miami, FL, one brother-in-law, King Solomon Jones Jr. (Wanda), a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends of Miami, Georgia and Lumberton and a special friend, Xiomara McAllister of Fayetteville, NC.

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