Ralph Hill was born on September 4, 1936, in Kenly, Johnston County, North Carolina, the second son and second child of the late Tony and Ludie Edwards Hill.
Ralph was a brother to Braxton Hill, Phillip Ray Hill, Billy Wayne Hill, Josephine Hill Parrish, and Geraldine Hill Lewis.
He was an Army veteran, serving as a Specialist 4 (Sp4) in the U.S. Army. Ralph was a native of Kenly but had made Durham his home since 1966. He built a career as a retired salesman with Electric Supply Company and was a dedicated member of the Angier Avenue Baptist Church.
JoAnne Alford was born on October 1, 1931, in Johnston County, North Carolina, the daughter of the late Joseph Benjamin Alford and Hazel Victoria Phillips Alford. Affectionately known as "Wiggles," JoAnne was a vibrant personality who adored all kinds of music, singing, and dancing—activities that earned her the lively nickname. She was renowned for her giving and loving nature, coupled with a spunky and sweet disposition that left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Before her marriage to Ralph, JoAnne had two sons from a previous marriage to Earldean Jackson: Dean Jackson Jr., born on May 19, 1956, and Daniel Charles Jackson.
Ralph and JoAnne were united in marriage. Together, they welcomed their daughter, Victoria Lynn Hill, on May 2, 1964. He was also a proud grandfather to five grandchildren.
In her younger years, JoAnne worked as a nurse in a local doctor's office in Kenly. After moving to Durham, she dedicated many years to volunteering at the cancer clinic at Durham Regional Hospital and at the Veterans Hospital. JoAnne was a faithful member of Angier Avenue Baptist Church in Durham for over 40 years, where she actively contributed by teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and participating in numerous committees and church activities. In her later years, she had been living at Carolina Beach with her daughter and son-in-law, attending First Baptist Church of Carolina Beach.
She was immensely proud of her grandchildren, Nicholas, Jessica , Kristina, Ashly, Brittainy. She loved her two "fur-grandkitties," Batman and Speedy.
Ralph passed away at the age of 60 on Sunday, June 8, 1997, in Durham Regional Hospital, following a lengthy illness. He is buried in Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina.
The Durham Herald
Monday, June 9, 1997
Ralph Hill Dies at 60
JoAnne passed away at the age of 85 on Monday, September 11, 2017. JoAnne is survived by her younger brother, Joseph Benjamin “Bennie” Alford Jr. of Cocoa Beach, Florida, and younger sister, Mildred Hales of Kenly, North Carolina. JoAnne is laid to rest beside Ralph in Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Durham.
Ralph and JoAnne Hill built a life together marked by dedication to their family, community, and faith, leaving behind a legacy of love and warmth that touched many lives.