Mrs. Bess Gudger Hill, age 93 of Athens, TN, formerly of Ellijay, passed away on Saturday, December 30th at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Ellijay.

She was born on January 2nd, 1930, in her family's home on Mountaintown Road outside of Ellijay, to the late John Osborne Gudger and Gertrude Edwards Gudger. She fondly recalled her childhood years, growing up on a farm on Mountaintown Creek, with almost all her neighbors being extended family.  At age sixteen she graduated from Gilmer High School and began studying at North Georgia in Dahlonega. During a school break she met Arthur Hill, who had returned from WWII and was studying at the University of Georgia.  They married in 1949 and for the next 10 years remained primarily in the Ellijay area while Arthur completed school, Army Reserve duties and Bess began her career as a mother and Homemaker.  Career opportunities took the family away from Gilmer County in 1959, but they returned "Home" every summer and Christmas to be with family and friends.  Over the next 25 years Bess managed to raise four children, oversee seven moves to six states and travel extensively with friends and family.  In 1984 she and Arthur returned to Mountaintown to "retire" on the family property where she was born and just a few miles from where Arthur was born. Entertaining work associates, friends and family was a major source of pride for Bess; over the years they hosted untold numbers of industry "celebrities", authors, artists, astronauts and Olympians.  Family and friends knew that a home cooked meal would be waiting for them when they arrived at her home.  Guests were treated to traditional simple southern dishes, the recipes she grew up on, from the garden she and Arthur proudly grew.  She loved to tell the story of how one of Arthur's associates had her ship her famous cornbread via FedEx to Utah one Thanksgiving.  She and Arthur loved to spend afternoons at the Old Mill on Mountaintown Creek below their house or on the front porch and observe the change of seasons and the wildlife on their property.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur L. Hill; daughter, Carol Srymanske; son-in-law, Jay Wesley Srymanske; and brother, William "Bill" Gudger.

Survivors include her son, David (Susan) Hill of Ellijay; two daughters, Sarah (Dr. Chris) Maynard of Athens, TN and Annette Anderson of Blue Ridge; brother, Robert "Bob" Gudger; sister, Helen Clements of Rome; six grandchildren, Chris Maynard, Amanda Pacheco, Connor Hill, Roy Srymanske, Drew Anderson, David Anderson; and 10 great-grandchildren also survive.

To honor her wishes, Mrs. Hill will be cremated and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.