James Clarence Hill and Mary Ella Renfrow Hill built a life together rooted in Johnston County, North Carolina, marked by hard work, family, and faith. Their marriage was one of dedication and resilience, facing both the joys of raising a large family and the profound sorrow of unexpected loss.

Early Lives and Formative Years

James Clarence Hill was born on March 23, 1900, in Kenly, Johnston County, North Carolina. He was the seventh of eleven children born to Fred and Tempy Ann Stancil Hill. His siblings included Delia Hill Bailey, Ronia Hill Stancil, John Fletcher Hill, Millard Lee Hill, William Moses Hill, Delphia Pearl Hill (who was 16 months his senior), George Preston Hill, Edgar Resley Hill, Floyd "Jack" Jackson Hill, and Tonie Hill. Clarence attended school at the historic Boyette Slave House.

His childhood saw early changes; Clarence was only nine years old when his mother, Tempy Ann, passed away. He remained with his father until Fred married Arnettie on April 23, 1911. Later, when he was 16, Clarence moved in with his brother Millard and Millard's wife Zilphia after their marriage on November 5, 1916, working for his room and board. During his youth, Clarence shared adventures with his brother Preston, including once catching and keeping a mother possum and her babies during a possum hunt.

Mary Ella Renfrow was born on October 1, 1902.

Marriage and Building a Family

James Clarence Hill and Mary Ella Renfrow were united in marriage on August 29, 1920, in Johnston County, North Carolina. The ceremony was officiated by Justice of the Peace, John W. Godwin, with Mamie Hocutt, Oscar Stancil, and Lula Davis serving as witnesses. Notably, Oscar Stancil, a widower and Clarence's first cousin (son of Henry Stancil), would later marry Mamie Hocutt on December 26, 1920.

Following their wedding, Clarence and Ella briefly resided with Millard and Zilphia for a few months, continuing a family tradition where many of Clarence's brothers also "honeymooned" at Millard's home.

Together, Clarence and Ella raised a family of four daughters: Myrtie (born July 19, 1921), Rachel (born October 22, 1923), Lillian 'Margie' Marguerite (born March 18, 1923), and Velma (born November 28, 1930).

Careers and Domestic Life

Clarence's career often took him away from home. He was hired as a prison guard at the Caldonia Prison Farm in Halifax County, North Carolina, near Roanoke Rapids—a vast 75,500-acre maximum-security facility. Later, he guarded a long bridge between Wilson and Elizabeth City. Due to the 75-mile trip each way, Clarence was not able to come home very often during these periods.

During Clarence's absences, Ella managed their household with remarkable self-sufficiency. She cultivated a large garden, spending her summers meticulously preserving its bounty through canning. She raised a pig annually for their hog killing and kept chickens for both eggs and meat. Ella was also an accomplished seamstress, making clothes for her girls and crafting beautiful quilts using her treadle sewing machine, often utilizing pretty flour sacks as fabric. When she decided she would no longer sew, her brother ingeniously repurposed the sewing machine base into a long table.

After serving 20 years with the state, Clarence retired from his guarding duties and moved his family back to the Wilson-Johnston County area, settling in Rock Ridge. There, he rented and successfully ran a country store from Klim Crocker, with his daughter Rachel often helping him. After retiring, Clarence also managed theaters in Wilson, including the Oasis Theater, where his daughter Velma enjoyed seeing free movies, particularly Westerns starring Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.

In terms of personal interests and faith, Clarence loved to dance and was particularly skilled at the new swing dancing, though Ella did not share this hobby. While Clarence did not attend church, Ella was a devout member of Moore Chapel Pentecostal Church.

A Tragic End and Lasting Memory

On December 17, 1971, tragedy struck. Two 16-year-old teenagers were playing checkers outside Clarence's store when they suddenly robbed the cash register and fatally shot Clarence. The teenagers, including one named Archie Moore Stewart, hid the stolen money in a hat and began walking down the road. Johnston County Sheriff Deputies soon apprehended them. They attempted to lie, claiming they found the money in a ditch, but the money was dry despite the rain, leading to their capture. It was also discovered that Clarence had most of his money in his back pocket, which was not taken. The teenagers were convicted and sentenced to life in prison, though they were later released early.

Clarence's funeral was held in the Chapel of Shingleton's Funeral Home in Wilson, with Rev. Braxton Creech and Rev. O.T. Howard officiating. He was laid to rest in the Hill Cemetery in the Glendale Community, Johnston County, North Carolina.

Ella's Later Years and Passing

After Clarence's death, Ella continued to live a life of quiet strength. She worked for a time in the Wilson shirt factory. In her last few years, she lived with her daughter Velma.

Mary Ella Renfrow Hill passed away on January 16, 1991, in Wilson, North Carolina, at the age of 88. She is buried beside her husband, James Clarence Hill, in the Fred Hill Cemetery.

Documents & Related Media

Clarence and Ella are buried together in the Fred Hill Cemetery in Kenly, North Carolina.