Mrs. Ella Messex Hillis

Ella Messex Hillis, 90, of Alexander entered into rest Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at Burke Medical Center after an extended illness.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at Bethel Baptist Church, with the Rev. Keith Jordan, the Rev. Matt Shryock and the Rev. Keith Alderman officiating.

Interment followed at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

She was born Sept. 29, 1917 in Jenkins County to the late Will and Cora Kilpatrick Messex.

She lived most of her life in Alexander where she worked at Barefield's Store for many years. She was the oldest living member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she was known as the "Mother of the Church." Mrs. Hillis will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Mr. Charlie R. Hillis.

She is survived by two sons, Charlie L. Hillis (Tommie E.) of Sardis and Herbert Hillis (Joyce C.) of Alexander; three daughters, Anne H. Wallace, Betty H. Belk and Mary H. Waters (Carol), all of Alexander; 14 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at DeLoach-Kennedy Funeral Home, Waynesboro.

Pallbearers were Ken Waters, Roger Hillis, Gary Wallace, Steven Wallace, Jimmy Miller and Ray Saxon.

Honorary pallbearers were Chip Barefield, Tommy Edenfield, Roland Oglesby, Johnny Jenkins, Robert Wilson, Mike Chance, Al McClain Jr., Randall Adams, W.Z. McClain Jr. and members of the Bethel Baptist Church Men's Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund, 384 Joyner-Oglesby Road, Sardis, GA 30456

DeLoach-Kennedy Funeral Home, 842 Liberty St., Waynesboro, GA 30830,706- 554-3531, is serving the Hillis Family.