Gladys Dallas Hill

Gladys Dallas Hill entered into her heavenly home on December 16, 2011 at McCurtain Memorial Hospital in Idabel, Oklahoma, at the age of 95 years. She was born on March 31, 1916 in Clarksville, Texas to George Dallas, Jr. and Lula Watson Dallas. Both parents preceded her in death.

Gladys had four siblings; who predeceased her Cleave Dallas, Helen Dallas Goodlow, Marlboro Pettiway, Dallas, and Marcell Dallas.

She attended and graduated from high school at Langston in Langston, Oklahoma. She furthered her education at Langston University, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Her first teaching position was at Oak Grove in Idabel. Later, she served as a Principal and Teacher at St. Mark Elementary School. Her career in education spanned 34 years.

Gladys was affiliated with the St. James C.M.E. Church in Idabel for 70 plus years. She has served in various capacities in the church. For many, many years, she was Chairperson of the Trustee Board. In 2004, St. James honored her at its 98th Anniversary Celebration.

Gladys was united in marriage to Willard L. Hill on May 29, 1948, and to this union was born one daughter, Joy, who was their "pride and joy."

Upon retiring from her teaching career, Gladys and Willard established Hill Nursing Home, Inc. in December, 1968. The nursing facility was licensed to care for 23 patients. With admissions steadily increasing, the bed capacity was expanded to 51 in 1973 with a new wing added to accommodate the service demand. In 1969, Gladys became the 168th individual to be licensed as a long term care administrator in the state of Oklahoma.

Hill Nursing Home Inc., has often been acknowledged on local, state, and national levels, for their dedicated and notable service. In 2007, the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long Term Care Administrators honored her with a resolution naming her as "Administrator of the Year" for her 39 years of service in long term care. For 15 plus years, Hill Nursing Home has been voted by readers of the McCurtain Gazette as the Readers' Choice "Best Nursing Home" in McCurtain County. In 2010, the nursing home earned a 5 Star rating from U.S. News and World Report.

Gladys received numerous accolades and awards and served in many capacities in various organizations. In October, 1978, she was named "Citizen of the Year" by the Idabel Chamber of Commerce. In November of that year, she was selected Idabel Business and Professional Women, "Woman of the Year."

Ms Hill was often considered a humanitarian because of the number of people she help and the many lives she touched.

She was recognized by the American Association of University Women in "Living Legends of McCurtain County." In September, 1979, she was selected Who's Who by First State Bank of Idabel. In October, 1979, she was voted IBPW Woman of the Month. She also served as the chairperson of the United Way Campaign that year. She was a charter member of Kiamichi Youth Services Board of Directors.

Concurrent with all of her other duties, she proudly served as President of the Entre Nous Women's Club for 55 plus years. In this capacity, she led the initiative for the club to pledge to help purchase furniture and equipment for the new McCurtain Memorial Hospital, and numerous other community projects. She worked fervently to secure scholarship funds for African-American students who participated in the Entre Nous Scholarship Cotillion. She always strived to leave any and every place a little better than she found it and to exemplify the Entre Nous Club motto, "To lift as we climb."

Cherishing her memory is her daughter, Joy Hill of Idabel, OK; beloved and devoted niece, Lou Eddie Burris of Broken Bow, OK; Nephews, Nathaniel Goodlow & Rev. Marbro Goodlow of Idabel, OK; Willard Dallas of Oklahoma City, OK; niece, JoAnn Golden of Los Angeles, CA; her personal assistant, Marie Blackman of Idabel, OK; special life-long friend, Sweet Magnolia Ferguson of Idabel. Also, the caring and dedicated staff of Hill Nursing Home, Inc. and a host of cousins, honorary children, extended family and friends.

Joy and family will receive friends from 4- 6 pm Wednesday December 21, 2011 here at the funeral home.

Funeral services are set for two pm Thursday December 22, 2011 at First Baptist 2 SE Jefferson, Idabel with Delroy Markland, Pastor of St James CM E Officiating.

Interment will follow at Williamston Cemetery, Idabel.

In leu of Flowers donations maybe submitted to St. James CME Church in care Hill Nursing Home 808 Martin Luther King Ave, Idabel.