Obituary of Carolyn Hill-Jones

Carolyn Hill-Jones was born in Moorestown, New Jersey on May 7, 1921, the eldest of eight children, to Henry Abram Graves and Olive Taylor Graves in Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. She grew up in Moorestown, NJ. Carolyn attended elementary school there and graduated from Moorestown High School. Education was a primary goal in the house of her parents, who made sure that all of their children had post-secondary education. Carolyn attended Hampton University and graduated cum laude with a degree in education in 1942. She later went on to complete a Masters in Education/ Administration and her Doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Her teaching career began in Salisbury, MD, where she taught English and biology. She later taught in the Philadelphia school system at Saltzberger Junior High and John Bartram Senior High.  She then was appointed Vice Principal, the Principal at Darby High School, and later becoming the Director of Curriculum before her retirement in 1988.

She was married in 1945 to longtime friend and sweetheart, the late Merrill Augustus Hill Jr. From their marriage two children were born, Carolyn Alice Byrd, and Gerald Douglas Hill. She then married the late Elmer Jones and relocated to Ossining, New York.   

Wherever she lived, Carolyn was engaged in a variety of activities.  She was a lifetime member of her church, Bethel AME in Moorestown, serving as Sunday school teacher, leader of the Young People's Division of the Missionary Society. After retiring, she became involved in Church Women United as New Jersey state vice president, New Jersey, and New York President.

She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority joining Theta Psi Omega Chapter in 1993. She participated in chapter activities that served the community.  Carolyn was involved with young people in school or church most of her life and enjoyed seeing them grow and prosper.

She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Alice Byrd, her stepdaughter, Alicia Cheevers, grandchildren, great grandchildren, a sister Ruth King, and two brothers Ralph Graves, and Douglas Graves. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 9 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Chapel at the Cedar Crest Senior Living Community, 1 Cedar Crest Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ.