Hilton, Verna Marie    

GLADEWATER -- On a bright, sunny day, with just a hint of chill in the air, Verna 
Marie Hilton went to be with her Lord. It was the kind of day Verna loved; one in 
which she could spend the days outdoors clearing creek bottoms, hand-digging and 
boxing-in a natural spring, working in her yard picking stickers, or scouring the 
backwoods of East Texas, looking for old bottles. Never one to leave a project 
unfinished, Verna would work from sunup to far past sundown, making sure every 
detail was covered. Verna was an avid swimmer, an accomplished folk artist, a lover 
of gospel music, a successful "noodler," and a champion leg-wrestler, to which her 
grandchildren can attest. Verna had the gift of "fun" which she brought to every 
occasion. She turned her sons' cub scouts activities into an adventure, with 
activities such as building teepees to see what it was really like to be an Indian. 
She brought the stories of the Bible to life with her vivid storytelling ability - 
Sunday school and Vacation Bible School were never the same again. Her joy of living 
was a testament to her love of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Everyone who entered her 
door heard about His love and forgiveness. Verna was born December 1, 1930, in 
Mountainburg, Arkansas, to Audrey and Alvis Simmons. As a teenager, she moved with 
her family to Gladewater, Texas, where she completed her high school career. While 
in school, she met her future husband, Jack Hilton. After two years of courtship, 
they were married July 30, 1949, at First Baptist Church. Their marriage was blessed 
with three children. Jack and Verna became lifelong best friends, as well as husband 
and wife, and spent 57 years wonderful years together. Verna is survived by her 
husband, Jack Hilton of Gladewater; her son and daughter-in-law, David and Lynn 
Hilton of Gladewater, and their sons, Benjamin and David Lynn Hilton of Gladewater; 
her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Cindy Hilton of Gladewater, with their children, 
Thomas of San Marcos, Stephenie, Sara, Joshua, and Susan, all of Gladewater; her 
daughter, Debra Abbott of Gladewater, with her children, Amber, Aaron, Anson, and 
April; along with several great-grandchildren. Verna, or "Mimi," as her grandchildren 
knew her, will be greatly missed. Services will be 10 a.m. today, February 16, 2006, 
at Calvary Baptist Church in Gladewater. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist 
Church in Gladewater.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 2/16/2006.