On Sunday morning, September 14, 2025, Mary Louise Hill passed away at age 92 and is resting peacefully in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born on October 19, 1932 in Kingstree, SC and is the daughter of Mary Louise Carter and Louis Joseph Rodrigue.  She was pre-deceased by her brother, Ernest Rodrigue.

Mary Louise grew up in Florence, SC and attended Florence High School where she met the love of her life, Robert Guy Hill. He played football and she played the piano for school chapel. Her high school annual aptly listed her superlatives "tiny lass, alert blue eyes, piano virtuoso." Mary Louise was baptized and later married in the First Baptist Church of Florence where she and Robert Guy taught the 4th grade Sunday School class.

She attended Converse College to study piano earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance. Auditioning and accepted into the studio of Edwin Gershevski, dean of music, she was known for her incredible technique and represented Converse College in several piano competitions. She shared her passion for playing the piano with her daughter Diane, her granddaughter Anna, and the many students of all ages who benefited from her excellent teaching.  She created many special opportunities for her students, collaborating with other teachers to have local students perform Christmas music at Magnolia Mall and McLeod Medical Center, arranging an entertaining Halloween Monster concert, and organizing an Olympic themed performathon in Aiken.

She loved to play golf, relishing the challenge of a game that – much like piano – could be won by focusing on her own performance.  In 1962, her competitive spirit led her to be a contestant on "The Price Is Right" where she won a set of leather luggage and a trip to Europe.  She also enjoyed playing bridge, attending garden club meetings, and volunteering with the Florence Junior Welfare League. She served as president of the women's golf league at the Florence Country Club and as president of the Florence Music Teachers' Association.

Mary Louise and Robert Guy moved to Aiken, SC in 1984 where they met some of their best life friends. They enjoyed the Aiken horse races, the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, and were active in the golf community at Hounds Lake Country Club. She stayed active in music teaching, as pianist for Millbrook Baptist Church and Little Theater Musicals. Wanting to be nearer family, Mary Louise and Robert Guy moved back to Florence in 2003, where she continued to enjoy teaching piano lessons and being "Nana" to her beloved grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ross, Dr. Pavy, and the staff of caregivers at The Manor for their compassionate care, especially the hospice team who provided comfort to both Mary Louise and her family members.  We also want to thank her  independent caregivers  – Susan, Stacey, Rosa, and Amanda – for their kindness and enduring care.

Mary Louise is survived by her two children, Diane Hill Perry (LR) and Susan Hill Oxner (Donny); five grandchildren, Anna Perry Stevens (Tim), Tyler Perry (Hannah), Margaret McConnell (Evan), Whitney Russell (Andrew), Jennifer Oxner; and four great-grandchildren, Beau Stevens, Breck Stevens, Evie Russell, and Letty Russell.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org or to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org

A graveside service will be held at 4:30 pm Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery directed by Cain Calcutt Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.