WILMINGTON — Our beloved mother, Marguerite “Rite” Staples Hill, passed away on April 15, 2025, at the age of 94. She was truly a force of nature—strong in every way, but especially in her love for her family.
Born on August 13, 1930, in Shiloh, Camden County, NC, she was the second of three daughters of Mary Anderson Staples and Gideon Staples. A tomboy on the family farm, she raised bees and rabbits for 4-H, drove the family tractor and Ford before she could properly reach the pedals, and by age 14 she was driving her own school bus, bringing fellow students along the rural routes to and from school (licensing laws being somewhat relaxed during wartime). She loved memories of her childhood on the farm and returning to Shiloh for family gatherings which always featured great food and lots of talking.
Marguerite graduated from Elizabeth City High School and the Norfolk General Hospital School of Nursing. While in nursing school, her friend and roommate Janet Hill thought Marguerite should meet her brother Broadus Edward Hill Jr. Janet was right. Rite and Ed married at the Shiloh Baptist Church parsonage on August 25, 1951.
Rite worked as a nurse in Blacksburg, VA; Elizabeth City; Kinston; and Wilmington, NC. She also taught nursing at Lenoir Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, mentoring many future nurses. In her early nursing days she found a wonderful lifelong friend in Mary Winslow Weavil.
An enthusiastic and selfless volunteer, Rite taught Bible school at Spilman Memorial Baptist Church in Kinston and Winter Park Baptist Church in Wilmington. A breast cancer survivor, she founded the Bosom Buddies group for fellow survivors in Wilmington. She was a frequent Red Cross volunteer nurse, and also a committed Girl Scout leader. A beloved supporter of the Hoggard High School bands, Rite often traveled as the band’s nurse—fearless as always. She later adopted the U.S. Air Force Band of her daughter, Chief Master Sergeant Barbara Hill Miller. Many of Barb’s bandmates fondly remember Rite’s famous red velvet cake, which often appeared (with Rite) on the band’s tours across the globe. Her love for travel—and her children—took her all over the world. Rite could make a friend anywhere, regardless of language. She never met a stranger.
Rite was, without a doubt, the best grandmother a kid could wish for; countless stories read, games of UNO played, all the favourite foods in the pantry, delicious homemade treats, special packages for birthdays, in attendance for big school and life events, patient when sharing her sewing or baking secrets. Her love for her grandchildren was without measure.
In retirement, Rite and Ed built a beach house on Topsail Island, where more than 20 years of joyful family memories were made. Summer evenings were spent around a long table overflowing with delicious food and the sound of laughter. Homemade ice cream was churned under the house, with younger children sitting on top of the churn as older ones cranked—carefully guarding the process so no salt crept into the cream. Watermelon was eaten on the porch, and seed-spitting (into the yard) was not only allowed—it was tradition. Also in the beach house lived her special cat, Topsy, a master of stealth who was never even seen by some, only picked-up or petted by the brave (or foolish), and only loved Rite.
In March 2022, Rite moved to assisted living at the Davis Community at Porters Neck. There, she found new friends, enjoyed her sewing and quilting hobbies, encouraged young aides to pursue nursing, and occasionally offered the kitchen chef a few cooking tips (ex: never put sugar in the cornbread, please).
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Champions, Davis Rehabilitation, Haven, and Davis Club for their devoted care, and to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare for the exceptional support they provided during Rite’s final days.
Rite was predeceased by her parents, Mary (Anderson) and Gideon Staples; her parents-in-law, Dorothy Maria (Hill) and Donald P. Dollens; her sisters, Doris Staples McMullen and Carrie Evelyn Staples Deason; sister-in-law, Janet (Hill) Williams and her beloved husband, Ed Hill (Broadus Edward Hill Jr.).
She is survived by her four children: Betty Utley (Don), Barbara Miller, Ed Hill (Kathy), and Karen Hunter; grandchildren: Ross Strickland (Katie), Aaron Strickland (Heather), Blythe Strickland (Jim Remington), Andy Hill (Caitlin Golding), Kristin Holth (Steve), and Dianne Tabor (Tim), Emily Hunter (Edward Heywood-Everett), Julia Hunter (Sören Temple), Isabel Hunter (Joel Andreasson); great-grandchildren: Sydney Strickland, Aurora Strickland, Rhys Strickland, and Isla Hill; her dearly loved sister-in-law, Sandy Dollens Cook; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; an extended family of cousins; and dear friends near and far.
If you knew Rite, she likely fed you red velvet or coconut cake, made you soup, sewed something just for you, or invited you to sit on the porch to watch the storm roll in with an iced tea, or admire the sunset with a gin and tonic.
We will hold her memory close forever, and always smile when we think of her. She was a light in this world.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Marguerite Staples Hill will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at:
Davis Community – Community Center Chapel
1011 Porter’s Neck Road
Wilmington, NC 28411
