Stella Rae Littleton Hillsman, age 83, of Montreat, North Carolina went home to be with the Lord on April 15, 2020. Stella was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 16, 1936 to Rassie and Fay Littleton. She lived in Louisiana until junior high, then moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she graduated from Hattiesburg High in 1954. She attended Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated in 1958 with a major in English. She met John Lee Hillsman in Hattiesburg and they were married on August 15, 1958. In 1961 they moved to Atlanta, Georgia where John completed dental school at Emory University. They then moved to Silver Spring, Maryland for two years as John served in the US Army while Stella cared for their three small children. Afterwards, John and Stella moved back to Atlanta for two years. In 1965, John and Stella moved to Brussels, Belgium for one year to study French and their fourth child was born there. From 1966-1972, they served as missionaries for the Presbyterian Church US in The Democratic Republic of the Congo where their fifth child was born. John and Stella returned to the US and moved to Montreat, North Carolina to raise their children and John opened a dental practice. They joined Montreat Presbyterian Church, now Christ Community Church Montreat, where they faithfully served together for many years.

Stella was a dedicated wife, loving mother to five children, and grandmother to twelve grandchildren. Stella dearly loved her family and friends. Stella was a creative homemaker, worked for the Montreat Historical Foundation, and her husband’s dental practice. Stella spent time volunteering and ministering to people in need and had a unique gift of loving children of all ages. Stella was an avid reader, a gifted writer, enjoyed collecting antiques, and loved the arts and nature. She had a wonderful sense of humor and story-telling ability. Stella loved the Lord Jesus and looked to her faith for strength and guidance throughout her life.

Left to cherish Stella’s memory are John, her beloved husband of nearly 62 years; son, Philip Lee Hillsman (Nancy); daughters, Lauren Hillsman Robinson (Chris), Joan Hillsman Cope (Chumley), Holly Hillsman Upton (Mark), and Suzanne Hillsman Rushing (James); grandchildren, David and Amy Hillsman, Lillian Robinson McIntyre (Mac) and Marilee Robinson, Caroline Cope Khoury (Khal), Julian, Jonathan and Florence Rose Cope, Laurel and Davis Upton, William and Bennett Rushing; sisters, Bertha Littleton Siegenthaler (Ron), and Alice Littleton Shaffer; and brother, John William Littleton (Paula).

Stella’s last years were spent being loved and cared for in her own home by her devoted husband and caregivers. Words cannot express the family’s gratitude to all the caregivers for their loving care of Stella through every stage of her dementia. Thank you also to Christ Community Church Montreat and Four Seasons Hospice for their love and support.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry-Hope for Tomorrow or the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Stella Hillsman.

A service to celebrate Stella’s life will be held at Christ Community Church Montreat at a later date.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)