Life Legacy

Life celebration service for Joan Marie Hillman, 84, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, will be Thursday, June 23rd, 2016, at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Joan was born November 5th, 1931, in Zephyr, TX, to H.J "Bob" and Elladale Crockett. Joan had three older brothers - Bobby, Dale and Ralph - and one younger brother Billy. In 1932, Joan's parents moved the family to Mullin, TX, where they survived the depression leasing farm land until 1943. Bob and Elladale again moved the family, this time to Odessa, TX, where Joan graduated from Odessa High School in 1949. She then attended Tarleton State College and was later employed by Gulf Oil Company. While growing up in Mullin, TX, she became acquainted with Jim Hillman when they were just in grade school. Their first official date, however, was not until 1949 and they dated off and on for several years. Jim attended Texas A&M, and following graduation, Jim and Joan were married on July 21st, 1952. Shortly after graduation, Jim was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force, where he served three years during the Korean War. In 1956, Jim was hired by Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM. Joan worked as the Associate Administrator for the NM State Fair, and later as the Operations Manager, retiring in 1988, after 32 years of dedicated service. During their years in Albuquerque, they were blessed with and raised three children, Steven (now deceased), Kenneth and Laura. Jim and Joan served the Lord faithfully at Hoffmantown Baptist Church. Joan was a Sunday school teacher for adults and children and was also very active with women's Bible Study Fellowship. In the late 1980's, the Lord led them to move to Las Cruces, NM. Upon arriving in Las Cruces, Jim and Joan joined First Baptist Church and became very active. Joan served in the Women's Mission Society and in the ladies quilt group, designing and sewing quilts for terminally ill church members. Joan also served as a member of the church Decoration Committee and as the Secretary/Treasurer of their adult Bible Study class. Of her many areas of service to the Lord and others, Joan's greatest joy and no doubt what she will be remembered for the most was supporting the Living Christmas Tree program where she worked hand-in-hand with the Music Minister in designing and making clothing and banners for the participants. The morning of June 18th, 2016, the Lord chose to bring Joan home, to the place He has prepared for all of us to share with Him. Joan is survived by her husband, James T. Hillman, children Kenneth Hillman, Laura and Ron Farmer, grand-children Travis and Jenna Hillman, Josh and Mandi Farmer and Amanda Farmer, great-grandchildren Mckinley and Kyler Farmer and Charlee Raye Hillman. Joan is preceded in death by her son, J. Steven Hillman. Graveside service to be held Friday, July 8th, 2016, at 10:00 AM. Sandia Memorial Gardens, 9500 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87113. PDF Printable Version