ELIZABETH HILL

Life Reflections

92 Years of Life Well Lived

Elizabeth (Clay) Hill was the third of fifteen children born to the late John Eddie Clay, Sr. and Nellie Mae (Nash) Clay on December 20, 1933 in Brooksville, Mississippi.

Elizabeth attended school in Brooksville, Mississippi until she began working in the cotton fields alongside her parents and older siblings.

At an early age, Elizabeth accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church where she served as a member of the choir. She remained a member there until relocating to Indianapolis, IN in 1958.

On February 8, 1958, Elizabeth Clay married James Benard Hill and they relocated to Indianapolis, IN. To this union three children were born, Sandra, Kevin and Jeffery Hill.

Upon relocating to Indianapolis, she joined the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church (now known as Promise Land Christian Community Church) under the leadership of the late Rev. Richard F. Gregory where she remained a member under the leadership of Rev. Richard E. Willoughby until the natural progression of age limited her ability to attend.

Elizabeth began her life in Indianapolis as a housewife and stay at home mother until she later entered the workforce. She briefly worked at Uni-Pack and Commercial Towel in the 1960’s. She then began a career in Environmental Services at St. Vincent’s Hospital (Ascension) in 1967.  Despite experiencing a divorce in 1973, she continued her dedicated service at St. Vincent’s for 32 years until she retired in May of 1999.

Elizabeth was known for fixing things around her house, preparing Sunday dinner for her family, and baking her specialty desserts. She was especially known for her famous rum cake. People near and far would always send in their request for her delicious rum cake. Cooking and baking were her ways of expressing her love.

Elizabeth enjoyed watching daytime & primetime television. Some of her favorite shows included The Young & the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Price is Right, In the Heat of the Night, The Steve Harvey Show, Wheel of Fortune, and Family Feud. She also enjoyed listening to her Gospel Quartet music. Some of her favorite artists included Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s, The Canton Spirituals, The Williams Brothers and Tim Rogers & The Fellas.

Bootsy, as she was lovingly called by her siblings, nieces and nephews, departed her earthly life on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at I.U. Methodist Hospital at the age of ninety-two years and twenty-six days. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Willie Albert Clay, Willie Louis Clay and Lonzell Clay; five sisters, Mattie B. Gillespie, Leana D. Moore, Marie L. Clay, Annie B. Clay and Bessie M. Scott; niece, Mary J. Clay; and good friend, Mary Kennedy.

Elizabeth leaves to cherish her memory daughter, Sandra Hill; sons, Kevin Hill and Jeffery (Teresa) Hill; granddaughter, Ashley Qualls; grandsons, Jeremy Hill and Darriel Hunter; sisters, Mozella (Johnny) Hill of Crawford, MS, Louise Wilkins and Betty Jean Clay of Starkville, MS; brothers, John E. (Essie) Clay, Jr. and James C. (Sadie) Clay of Starkville, MS, and LA Clay of Columbus, MS; special cousin, Mayree Jones; good friend,  Hattie Jones; and longtime neighbor, Adelaide Long. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, God-grandchildren, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church family and friends.

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