Helen Lareda Stewart Hill

"Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you & your family during this difficult time." Sprowl Funeral Home

Sprowl Funeral and Cremation Care is compassionately serving the family of Helen Hill, 97,  who passed away on February 1, 2025. There will be a public viewing on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Mount Pleasant Church, 3050 E Davis Dr, Terre Haute, IN 47802. The funeral service will take place on February 15, 2025, with a visitation from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. with the service to immediately follow at Mount Pleasant Church, 3050 E Davis Dr, Terre Haute, IN 47802. Please continue to pray for the family & friends of Mrs. Helen Stewart Hill.

Celebration of Life

Helen Lareda Stewart Hill

Phenomenal & Amazing Woman ~  Pure Love and Joy

Helen Lareda Stewart Hill, the matriarch of the family, peacefully transitioned into eternity on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the age of 97. She was born on December 28, 1927, to the union of the late Chauncey Leroy Stewart and Edith Augusta Mitchell Stewart in Terre Haute, Indiana. She was the youngest of twelve children and affectionately known as “Papa’s Lazy Babe.” She was proceeded in death by her siblings—three brothers: Gilbert, Berchie, Charles Edgar; and eight sisters: Jemima, Anna, Doris, Louzaina, Sarah Piccola, Etta, Ethel Elnora, and Linna Mae.

Helen attended Abraham Lincoln School, Booker T. Washington School, and graduated from Gerstmeyer Technical High School in 1945. Her siblings were always proud of her academic accomplishments. They would often say, “Helen was the smart one. She made all ‘E’s [Excellent].”

Helen met and married the love of her life William Henry (Bill) Hill. Together their union brought forth and united 15 children. They were known as the “best dressers” and the “best dancers,” often seen on the dance floor in their stylish wear “cutting the rug.” People would get off the dance floor just to watch them dance. Helen’s favorite dance was “Catch the Moon.” She was always the life of the party! When she walked in a room, the party got started. If someone asked for her name, she would say, “Well my name is Helen, but they call me Hellcat!” She was a homemaker, housekeeper, and also worked at Glass-Co Apparatus. Jokingly, she would say, “I didn’t retire, I quit-tired!” Helen was a skilled seamstress, talented at designing her own patterns, and making her children’s clothing. She was an avid reader, and loved reciting poetry. She also had many hobbies, such as bingo, doing crossword puzzles, word search, playing jacks, cards and board games. Her two favorite games were Tripoley and Pokeno. Helen loved to bake, but even after having twelve children, she still didn’t like to cook. She would say, “I don’t like cookin’, and cookin’ don’t like me.”

A woman of strong faith, Helen was introduced to Christ by her parents and confessed her love for Jesus at an early age. She was raised as a member of the AME Church, and later became a dedicated member of Lost Creek Baptist Church. Helen and her husband raised their children to know and love Christ. They kept their children involved in church activities. Helen would say, “I taught my kids right from wrong. Some of them were just hard-headed, and I told them to straighten up and fly right.” Although Helen may have forgotten a few names over the years, even as she battled Alzheimer’s, one name she never forgot was JESUS! She loved singing, praising, and calling on the name of Jesus. Even in her final moments, she said, “I want to see Jesus.”

Helen loved being surrounded by family and friends. Her personality was infectious. Her parents named her appropriately because the name Helen means “Bright” and Shining Light.” One of her favorite songs she sang daily was, “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let it Shine.” Helen had a giving spirit and a radiant smile. She always had a kind word to say. She was quick-witted, had a keen sense of humor, and she knew how to “drop the mic” by sharing her words of wisdom. Her signature sayings and phrases will be shared with others by her children and grandchildren for many years to come. Helen was a devoted wife and dedicated mother, supporting and taking her kids to their many school and community activities. She was also a loving grandmother, affectionately known as “grandma” and “granny.” All of her grandchildren had a special place in her heart. She made each and every one of them feel as if they were her favorite. Not only did Helen love her children and grandchildren, she also loved her nephews, nieces, family, and friends dearly. They in turn “loved them some Helen!” When thinking of Helen, pure love and joy says it all!

Helen was proceeded in death by her husband, William H. Hill; parents; 11 siblings; 4 sons: Virgil Hill, Kenneth Hill, Joseph Stewart, James Earl Stewart, Sr.; 2 daughters: Marian Wilhelmina Aaron, Deborah Harper Clayton; 1 granddaughter: Donna Aaron; 6 grandsons: Byron Goins, John Mark Aaron, Barry Harper, James Stewart, Jr., Jonathon Stewart; 1 great-grandson, Aaron Hill. 

She leaves to cherish with blessed memories, nine children who loved their mother dearly:  Helena (Niecy) Hill, Myra (Kaye) Hoye, Jefferey Hill (Mary), Alan Hill (Jennett), Holly Hill-Brooks (Bill), Fran Hill-Hatfield (Paul), Raymond Hill (LaVerne), Evelyn La(Reda) French (Shawn), Teresa Hill (Bryan); son-in-law, Larry Clayton; daughters-in-law, Flossie Hill, Darlene Stewart; 46 grandchildren; 91 great-grandchildren; 62 great-great grandchildren; 3 great-great-great grandchildren.

Our Mother’s love, laughter, dancing, and joy will be dearly missed!     

~ Rest on Mama!        

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