Jane B. Hill

Jane Blankenship Hill, 87, of Murray, KY passed away quietly, surrounded by friends and family reading scripture and singing hymns on Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Anna Mae Owens Hospice House after a long illness. 

“Miss Jane” was born August 5, 1936 in the Methodist parsonage at Almo, KY to the Rev. Herschel Polk and Mary Azaline (Woodruff) Blankenship. She was widowed for 37 years, having married the late Guy Edwin “Buddy” Hill on November 28, 1954. She grew up in Almo, Gleason, TN, Kriksey, KY, Paris, TN, and Murray, KY as the daughter of a minister in that era. A graduate of Murray High School, Mrs. Hill was employed by the USDA Farmer’s Home Administration for 30 years, serving as County Office Clerk and later Technician in Paris, TN. While working and in her early retirement years, she was active in Quota Club, serving as president of the Paris Chapter. She was also a member of the Murray Woman’s Club and was active in the music department. She was highly involved in the musical life of her community, playing and singing for countless weddings and funerals throughout her long life. 

A devoted United Methodist, she was the choir director and organist for many years at Trinity United Methodist Church in Paris, TN, and had most recently served as pianist at South Pleasant Grove UMC from 2007 until 2023. She was a member of South Pleasant Grove UMC and had recently moved her membership to Murray First UMC where she was attending at the time of her passing.   

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings Mary Naomi Blankenship (an infant), Thomas Blake (and wife Nova Swift) Blankenship, Macon Cain (and wife Jean Evelyn Darnell) Blankenship and one nephew Chad Blankenship. 

Mrs. Hill is survived by her son, Dr. Todd Edwin Hill (and his partner Dr. Stephanie Carlson) of Murray; her brother Paul Jones (and wife Alice Nelroy Robinson) Blankenship of DeWitt, MI; brother-in-law Jerald Porter (and wife Peggy Perry) Hill of Murfreesboro, TN, in addition to twelve nieces and nephews, twenty-four grandnieces and nephews, and thirty-three great-grandnieces and nephews; and a host of dear friends from all over the region. 
 
Visitation will be held at South Pleasant Grove UMC, 5671 Crossland Road, Hazel, KY from 4 to 8pm on Saturday, May 4, 2024. A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held at First United Methodist Church, 503 Maple Street, Murray, KY at 2pm on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Additional visitation will take place between 12:30 and 1:30pm at the First United Methodist Church. A Service of Committal will follow with the burial at the South Pleasant Grove UMC Cemetery. The Revs. Jeffrey Rudy and David Allbritten will lead the services, with nephew and niece Mark Blankenship and Beth Blankenship Buchanan serving as eulogists. Dr. Derek Jones will lead the congregational music, and Kayla Marie Little will serve as soloist with the Chancel Choir and friends. A Service of Committal will follow with the burial at the South Pleasant Grove UMC Cemetery.

Nieces and nephews as well as the Todd Hill Orchestra will serve as active and honorary Pallbearers. Non-floral tributes and memorials may be made to the Choral Scholars/Music Fund at Murray First UMC, 503 Maple Street, Murray, KY 42071.   

Online condolences may be left at www.jhchurchill.com.

The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.