Maxine Hill

Born December 10, 1924, in Abilene, Maxine’s family moved to South Austin when she was a girl. Her parents owned a dairy and, later, a rodeo arena on South Congress Avenue. Maxine would tell her great grandchildren about how she and her brother would ride horses to school down Highway 81, which is now Interstate 35. Her eyes would really light up when she spoke of the love of her life, Cecil A. Hill, who she met as a schoolgirl. They married at the age of 17, and became respected figures in Oak Hill and the rodeo community. Cecil died nearly 30 years ago, and until Maxine’s death, she would still tear up talking about him.

She was strong in her Christian faith and was active in her home churches in Oak Hill, Dripping Springs, Austin, and Taylor. Maxine was fully aware that her short temper was her cross to bear in this life. If you heard her preface a statement with “Let me tell you something…” you knew you were in trouble. But she loved fiercely and was loved and respected by many. Maxine referred to herself as the “old woman in the shoe,” knowing that she was blessed with a family of her own and also with “surrogate” children who she came to know when her family owned Hill’s Arena in Oak Hill.

Maxine is survived by her daughter, Donna Shiller of Thorndale; son and daughter-in-law, Alford and Carolyn Hill of Round Mountain; granddaughter, Dawn Sizemore and husband Trey of Thorndale; grandson, Hoyt Hill and wife Caroline of Austin; sister-in-law, Winnie Carson of Overton; six great grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two nephews; one niece; and an extensive “family of friends.”

Maxine is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cecil A. Hill; parents, Tom and Willie Cook Carson; brother, J.W. Carson; mother-in-law, Eula Roberts; brother and sister-in-law, Hudson and Patty Hill; son-in-law, Don Shiller; and granddaughter Patches Tomlinson.

The family will receive visitors from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 31, 2016, at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, August 1, 2016, at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

Fly high, cowgirl.