Harriet E. (Hill) Shears

With deepest regret, the Shears and Hill families announce the passing of their beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Mrs. Harriet Elizabeth (Hill) Shears, age 82, widow of the late Willie Earnest "Possum" Shears, formerly of Roanoke, Alabama.  Mrs. Shears peacefully transitioned from this life on Sunday morning, May 24, 2026, at Columbus House Hospice in Columbus, Muscogee County, GA.  Born on September 19, 1943, in Roanoke, Randolph County, AL, Mrs. Shears is the daughter of the late Luke Hill, Sr., and Annie Elizabeth (Laye) Hill, native Randolph Countians. A lifelong resident of the Roanoke community, she was a long-standing faithful and devoted member of First Baptist Church, Riley Street, in Roanoke, Alabama.  Mrs. Shears was residing in Columbus, with her daughter and caregiver, Mrs. Daphne Alexander.  

In Loving Memory Of Mrs. Harriet Elizabeth (Hill) Shears
 

Mrs. Harriet Elizabeth “Hill” Shears, age 82, of Roanoke, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Columbus House Hospice in Columbus, Georgia. 

A loving mother, grandmother, caregiver, and faithful servant of God, Mrs. Shears was born on September 19, 1943, in Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama, to the late Luke Hill, Sr. and Annie Elizabeth (Laye) Hill. 

Mrs. Shears was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Roanoke, Alabama, where she joined at an early age and remained faithful in attendance until declining health limited her activities.  Her life was marked by compassion and dedication to caring for others. She attended the Historic Randolph County Training School here in Roanoke.  Professionally, she worked in health care and manufacturing, having been employed with Rosser’s Nursing Home and Candlewick Yarns, from which she later retired. 

Known affectionately by family and friends for her nurturing spirit, Harriet became a caregiver for many family members over the years. She loved gardening, flowers, and house plants, and was known for having a remarkable “green thumb.”  For the last ten years, she resided in Columbus, Georgia, with her devoted daughter and caregiver, Daphne Alexander. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luke Hill, Sr. and Annie Elizabeth (Laye) Hill; husband, Willie Earnest “Possum” Shears; brothers Willie Hill, Sam Hill, Luke Hill, Jr., and Reverend Alford N. Hill; sisters Ruby H. McGhee and Judy Hill Adamson; and bonus sons George “Snag” Shears and Willie Shears. 

Mrs. Shears leaves to cherish her loving memory her children: Daphne Alexander (Emanuel) of Columbus, Georgia; Juliet Evans of Waco, Texas; and Reverend Calvin Paul “Snap” Shears (Pamela) of Leeds, Alabama.  She also leaves to mourn her passing four (4) bonus children: John Lewis Blake (MaeLieza) of Five Points, AL; Percy Shears of Cincinnati, OH; Marvin Shears (Daniella) and Harold Reid (Shonda) both of Roanoke, AL.   

She is also survived by her last surviving brother, Silus Leon Hill; sister-in-law, Annie Lee Hill both of Roanoke; Harriet's autumn years were greatly enhanced by the presence of her six (6) grandchildren: Jazlyn Nelson (Ulysses), Talia Shears, Ashley Evans, Ebony Evans, Justine Evans, and Rashay Heard; six (6) great grandchildren; along with several bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren; plus a host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, church family, and friends who will forever cherish her memory.  

Funeral services for Mrs. Harriet Elizabeth Shears will be conducted on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) from First Baptist Church, 549 Riley Street, Roanoke, with Reverend Gilbert E. Staples officiating.  Interment will follow in East Roanoke Cemetery in Roanoke, Alabama. 

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