Ms. Belva Jean Hill

Belva Jean Hill was born on October 24, 1948, to parents Lorainge and Preston Hill. As their only child, she held a special place in their hearts. Growing up in the Antioch community of Blue Mountain, Mississippi, Belva was surrounded by a large extended family who worked together to farm the land, care for their animals, and build a home in the quiet North Mississippi Hill country.

After completing high school, Belva moved to Jackson, Mississippi, to attend Jackson State College, where she earned her degree in Sociology in 1970. She married Ray Ford Thomas, Jr. that same year, and together they started a family. The young couple raised three daughters: Stefanie, Angela, and Erica.

Belva began her career at BellSouth/AT&T. Belva started with the corporation in the mailroom and with hard work, eventually transitioned to telecommunications management over the course of her three-decade tenure. After her retirement there, she began a new career path as the manager of Premier Foot Clinic where she worked alongside her daughter, Stefanie, to start her medical practice.

In her free time, Belva enjoyed gardening and watching sports. She was known for her thoughtfulness and fairness, which were values instilled in her from a young age.

On January23, Belva passed away, leaving behind her daughters Stefanie (Greg) Thomas-Green, Angela Neal and Erica (Eljen) Davis, granddaughters (Madison and Emeire), and a host of family and friends who loved her deeply.