Annette Palmer Hill

Annette Swanson Palmer Hill, age 71, of Natchitoches, Louisiana passed away October 3, 2009 at her home with her family at her side. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Natchitoches, Louisiana with Reverend Donald Avery officiating. Visitation will be prior to the memorial service at First United Methodist Church and will begin at 9:00 a.m. Annette is survived by one son, Sam Hyams Hill, III (Trey) and wife Jacqueline of Lafayette, three daughters, Ellen Elizabeth Hill Kees (Beth) and husband David of Natchitoches, Dr. Anna Margaret Hill of Monroe, Julie Annette Hill Owens and husband Jimmy of Lewisville, North Carolina, grandchildren David (D.J.) and Stephen Kees, Andrea, Brennan, and Rachael Hill, Ross and John Owens, one brother, Paul Palmer and wife Amanda of Marshall, Texas, a sister-in-law, Edith Palmer of Many, and a brother-in-law, James Hill (Jim) and wife Irene of St. Louis, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Sam Hyams Hill, Jr., her parents William Morris Palmer, Sr. and Rachael Swanson Palmer, her brother, William Morris Palmer, Jr. (Bill), and her sister, Elizabeth Palmer Jones (Betty). Annette was born November 22, 1937 in Greenville, South Carolina and spent her early years surrounded by members of the Swanson family in Pennsylvania before moving to Natchitoches with her family in 1946. She graduated from Natchitoches High School and attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette. Following her marriage to Sam in 1957, Annette devoted her life to her husband and to raising their children as well as to providing support for her extended family. Annette attended the First United Methodist Church and was a faithful member of the church choir for over 50 years. She also loved being a part of the bell choir and served as its director. She was a member of the sisterhood Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O. International), the Service League, and the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches. She also served on the St. Mary’s Catholic School Board while her children were attending the school. During her life, Annette was an avid reader, a great cook, and she enjoyed creating things through sewing and ceramics. After Sam’s retirement from farming in 1988, the two of them enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world and visiting all 50 of the states, often with good friends or members of the family. The family would like to express its great appreciation for the love and care provided by the staff at Hope Hospice, especially Rhonda Carter, and by Annette's caregivers, Ruby Hicks, Clotine Turner, Brenda Robinson, Connie Walker, Altonette Jackson, and Patricia Jackson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, Hope Hospice, or to St. Mary’s School. Online condolences may be given at www.blanchardstdenisfuneralhome.com.