Margaret Hilliard

Margaret Hilliard, 93, of Carbon City Rd., Morganton, NC died Saturday, October 28, 2006, at Grace Heights following a period of declining health. She was born November 27, 1912 in Burke County and was a daughter of the late Amos Hugh Conley and Mattie Geneva Conley. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Hilliard, Jr. brothers, Lonnie Connelly, Clifford Conley, and Allen Conley; and sisters, Mattie Giles and Kathleen Smith. Mrs. Hilliard was a member of Mimosa Chapter #269 Order of the Eastern Star where she was Past Worthy Matron and served as District Deputy. Margaret was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Morganton.

Left to cherish her memory is a son, Robert Hilliard III and and his wife, Lucy of San Diego, CA; a daughter, Rebecca Hilliard Clarke, and her husband, Durward, of Morganton; grandchildren, Christopher Hilliard, Rachel Carter, Diane DeCarlo, Martha Moore, Mary Cantrell, Sherree Winslow, Valerie Kuentzel; nine great grandchildren; and a special friend and caregiver, Gloria Smith. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Grace Heights for their love and care given to their mother.

A celebration of life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 31, 2006, at First Presbyterian Church with the Reverends Michael R. Bailey, Larry Fletcher, and George Williams officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor. Graveside service will be held prior to the service at 3:00 p.m. at Burke Memorial Park with Eastern Star rites conducted by the Mimosa Chapter #269. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mimosa Chapter #269 Order of the Eastern Star, C/O Mildred Stines, 106 Lyman Ct., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.