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- Asheville Citizen-Times, March 9, 2013
Reverend Russell Boston Hilliard Sr. (Picture included)
Black Mountain - When Russell was in hospice last summer on the verge of dying, he said he wished to live longer to praise the Lord and be with Patsy, his beloved wife of 61 years. Russell was granted the gift to live another few months. The truth is that throughout his life he faced life-threatening medical conditions. The miracle of it all is that he lived to be 82.
Looking back to his first years, we see a boy growing up on a farm in South Georgia during the Depression. His parents, Milton and Esther, worked hard to provide for their four children. In the midst of hardship, there were many happy times: rocking on the screen porch, tasting his mother's delicious biscuits, playing with Billy, Mary Alice, and Vida, visiting neighbors down the dirt road, and last but not least, spending much of the Lord's day at Massee Baptist Church.
During Russell's early college years, he sensed a call to serve God as a minister. He was ordained in 1951 at Massee Baptist Church near Adel, GA. Later that year he was married to Patsy Bassett of Fort Valley, GA. The two of them completed their last year of college as married students at Valdosta State University.
After college Russell enrolled at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Upon completing seminary, Russell served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Bunnlevel, NC. During this time he also did graduate studies in theology at Duke University. In 1956 they were blessed with the birth of their first child, Rose.
Russell and Patsy had considered overseas missionary service for several years and were delighted to be appointed in 1957 by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention to serve in Spain. For the next twenty-one years they worked there with great joy. Russell was closely affiliated with the Spanish Baptist Seminary, at times teaching and at times directing the seminary. During the first years, the seminary was located in Barcelona and then in Madrid. Barcelona was also the birthplace of their three other children: Russell Jr., Elizabeth, and Rebecca. In addition to the seminary, Russell was involved in the publication work of Spanish Baptists. He often preached in Baptist churches throughout Spain and spent one whole year ministering in Zaragoza. He deeply identified with the Spanish people and their culture.
In 1977, after several periods of severe illness, Russell and Patsy, with heavy hearts, made the decision to leave Spain. At this point, he entered early retirement for medical reasons, and he and Patsy returned to the US, settling in Western North Carolina. The following years were quiet ones -- a season of very poor health that meant many hours alone day after day, yet providing much time for prayer and contemplation.
Russell underwent major surgery in 1988 with the result that he was able to return to a more active life. A new period began, focused on outreach to Latinos in Western North Carolina. With great love, he translated for visits to physicians, drove those who needed transportation, facilitated contact between the newly arrived and health and social services, and volunteered as a pastor in a Spanish mission. He saw injustice and longed for justice. He heard discord and prayed for peace. He noticed the unnoticed and became an advocate for those without a voice.
Russell became a prolific writer, addressing a wide audience through editorials and articles in a variety of publications, including a weekly editorial in the Spanish-language newspaper, La Noticia. He published a selection of his writings in two short collections of poetry and meditations: Joy in the Wildflowers and Waiting in the Sourwoods.
Russell was profoundly shaped by suffering; illness ravaged his body as a young man and left its imprint until he died. Still, he did not harbor bitterness but instead was ever more deeply embraced by God's love. His joy in the Lord was visible to all.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held March 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Bent Creek Baptist Church in Asheville, NC with Dr. Jim McCoy officiating.
The family will receive friends March 16, 2013 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Harwood Home for Funerals in Black Mountain, NC, all are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, Russell's wish was that donations be made to the International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767 or www.imb.org/main/give/default.asp <http://www.imb.org/main/give/default.asp>.
Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals. www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com <http://www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com/>
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Bassett Family Association Database
