Obituary of Elizabeth Newman Hilton

Elizabeth Newman “Lib” Hilton, 90, widow of John Bingley “J.B.” Hilton, died Sunday, March 22, 2015 at her home in Sumter. Born in Sumter, she was the daughter of the late Van Telburg Newman and the late Selma Steele Newman. Mrs. Hilton was a life-long member of the Grace Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Faith Sunday School Class, sang in the choir, and served as church pianist for many years, beginning when she was just 17. With her husband J.B. she led the fifth and sixth grade Sunday School Class for 55 years, sharing her love of music and faith in the Lord with hundreds of young people. To this day the “Children of Grace” can attest to this by reciting the books of the Bible and singing the “Hash Chorus”. In addition to being a gifted pianist, she exhibited a myriad of other talents, including gardening and flower arranging. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish Lib’s Dress Shop and Hilton Tours. Those who went on a “Hilton Tour” will remember her ability to organize fun and exciting excursions, complete with sing-alongs on the bus, creating life long memories. Her joyful spirit made every gathering of friends and family a celebration of love. Surviving are a son, Dr. John B. Hilton Jr. (Susan) of Sumter; a daughter, Patricia Hilton Limoges (Neal) of Sumter; a brother, Van Newman (Alice) of Columbia; 6 grandchildren, John Hilton III, Margaret Hilton, Tracy Spigner (Jeffrey), Sarah Atkins (Jason), Alex Limoges (Brett), Kate Limoges (Tim); 6 great grandchildren, Anna Louise Spigner, Laney Spigner, Jeffrey Spigner Jr., Olivia Griffin, Cameron Atkins, and Millie Atkins. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Thursday at Grace Baptist Church with Dr. Steve Williams and Rev. Steve Shumake officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Steve Creech, Rob Crosby, Tom Lewis, Steve Mims, Richard Murrell, Steve Morris, and Davis Reames. Honorary pallbearers will be the Faith Sunday School Class, Bogan Dees, Bert Hubbard, Dan Lyles, and Jim Mallard. The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday in the Fellowship Hall at Grace Baptist Church and at other times at the home, 2691 Wedgefield Road. Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 219 W. Calhoun St., Sumter, SC 29150 or to the Rotary CART Fund (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust), P.O. Box 1916, Sumter, SC 29151 On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.