Francina Hilliard

Francina Hilliard was born to the late Ethel Miller and the late Francis Jones of Kline, South Carolina on April 1, 1933. She was the second child of nine. Francina departed this life on May 15, 2015 surrounded by her loving family. She received her formal education at public schools in Kline, South Carolina. Francina’s employment history included: Parrott Bay Restaurant in Miami, Florida before moving to Delaware with Henry Hilliard whom she would later marry. In Delaware, she worked at King Cole in Milton, Paramount Poultry in Harbeson, and The Convalescent Center in Lewes, DE. She also was a home day care provider and caregiver to her grandchildren. In 1970, Francina joined Mount Zion Holy Church in Milton, accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was later baptized. She loved to sing. She was a member of the Radio Broadcast Choir, Senior Choir, Mass Choir and the Delaware State Choir (Mid-Atlantic District Choir). She was often asked to sing, “It Don’t Cost Very Much” as well as “Lead Me to Calvary” and one of her personal favorites was “I have decided to follow Jesus”. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Hilliard; son, Johnny Lee of FL; her sister, Josephine Miller of PA; brothers, James Miller of NY and Jerome Miller of DE and son-in-law, Willie Vann of DE. She is survived by her children: Dorothy Vann of Milton, DE; Leroy Miller (Dolores) of New Castle, DE; Janet Miller of Milton, DE; Henry Miller (Teresa) of Millsboro, DE; Bernard Miller (Alison) of Lewes, DE and Michael Hilliard of Brandon, FL. She leaves to cherish fond memories: Willie Omar Vann, Cheryl Miller, Stephen Miller, Stefan Miller, Jayson Miller, Bernard K. Miller, Alyssa Miller, Caden Miller, Josiah Miller, Michael L. Hilliard and Lonna Ponzo. She leaves behind five great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. Siblings left to mourn are Shirley Ann Daniels of SC, Jeanette Farmer of PA, Ernestine Benjamin of NY, Betty Kent of NJ and Ollie Mae Kent of NJ. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francina Hilliard, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Francina Hilliard

April 1, 1933 - May 15, 2015