Brenda Kay Hill, 73
January 4, 1952 – February 11, 2026
Nettleton-Brenda Kay Gilreath Hill, a great soul, departed this life for her home in eternity from her residence in Nettleton after a period of declining health. She was 74 years old. Born on January 4, l952 to her late parents, Raymond and Lucile Anderson Gilreath in Woodbury, Tennessee, they lived in several places before she located to Nettleton in l989 with her late husband, Charles David Hill. They enjoyed country life there where they raised their children and enjoyed a wonderful life. A member of Victory Baptist Church in Nettleton, Brenda spent her lifetime in the hospitality industry as a waitress and cook. She spent over 20 years at Papa V’s in Verona where she held forth with strength, compassion as she served their foot cooked to perfection. Cornbread, hamburger steak and potato recipes were her specialties, among many others. Customers loved her and came to expect and respect the quality of her food. If cooking every day wasn’t enough, she faithfully gathered her children and grandchildren to her home every Thursday night where they enjoyed Mama and “Granny’s” cooking and her uncompromised love for them. A strong, independent woman, “What Mama says was what goes!” She loved shopping thrift stores, Vera Bradley purses and, more than anything, just spending every second possible with her children and grandchildren.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 from the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Steve Holland and Jennifer Turner speaking. Burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 3 PM-5PM Sunday and from Noon-service time Monday, all at Holland-Tupelo, which is honored to be serving their friends. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 2 PM Monday and will be archived thereafter.
Brenda is survived by her children; Christopher Boyd (Dawn), Jennifer Turner, Lorie Carter ( Coy), Jeffrey Hill ( Shoniya) and Michael Hill (Stephanie Baggett); her grandchildren, Cassie Turner, Matthew, Mary Turner, Christiana Turner, Brittany Ferrell, Alex Boyd, Tyler Hill, Kaley Grace Hill, Allyson Hill, Lilah Hill, Khloe Baggett, Ella-Rae Earnest, Kyrsten Mejia (Jacob Collins), Katelynn Mejia (Marshall McCord) and Steven Barfield (Madison); her great grands, Madison Turner, Devan Turner and Oakley Ann Barfield, Kendall, Skye, Isabella, and Jaqueline; her sisters, Tammy May Berry and Shelia Kirby. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Lucille Gilreath; her husband, Charles David Hill, a son, Jerry Lee Boyd, Jr., a grandson, Austin Boyd and two brothers, James Gilreath and Daryl Gilreath.
Pallbearers will be Chris Boyd, Jeffrey Hill, Michael Hill, Tyler Hill, Steven Barfield and Dale Seymore.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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