Sarah Eugenia "Jean" Hill Schreck

Sarah Eugenia (Jean) Hill Schreck passed away peacefully at her home in Columbus, Georgia on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. She was born in Greenville, Georgia on September 6, 1942, the youngest daughter of Burwell Pope and Bonnetta Wilkins Hill. She was the granddaughter of Judge Hiram Warner and Lena Harris Hill of Greenville and Atlanta, and Henry Ulysses and Nettie Ann Wilkins of Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Jean was a 1960 graduate of Greenville High School. After high school, she attended LaGrange College and worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In August 1966, she married Dr. James Schreck of Houston, Texas at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. They then moved to Greeley, Colorado, where they raised their family and Jim taught at the University of Northern Colorado for 44 years.

She often described her life living in Greeley as one of God’s greatest blessings. She had a desire from a young age to be the light of Christ in the lives of others. She was a peacemaker and was given the beautiful gift of understanding. Jim and Jean raised their two sons in St. Mary’s Church in Greeley. She was a member of St. Mary’s choir for many years, served as a Eucharistic minister for the homebound, and taught Sunday school to young children. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the National Society of Colonial Dames. She loved supporting her sons’ many school and community activities.

Jean was an avid reader and loved collecting antiques. She frequently visited thrift stores searching for unique books and rare antique collectibles. She enjoyed reading a wide variety of books and had a special interest in the history of England and Imperial Russia. She also loved genealogy and spent countless hours researching family lineages.

After Jim’s retirement in 2010, they returned to Georgia to be closer to family. She cherished her time babysitting for her three grandchildren, picking them up from school, and taking them to an activity or bringing them home for a special treat. She enjoyed countless sleepovers with her oldest granddaughter.

She is survived by her husband, Jim, of 56 years; her sons, Steven Schreck of Atlanta and Michael Schreck and his wife Christy of Columbus; her three precious grandchildren, Anna, Lucy, and Owen; her sister Anne Pope Hill Seay (John) of LaGrange, Georgia; and her nieces, Sally O’Neal Estes of Columbus and Laura O’Neal of Greenville. She was predeceased by her niece, Cynthia O’Neal, of Greenville.

A visitation will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church in Columbus, Georgia at 9:00 am on Monday, February 6, 2023, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Interment will be in the Greenville, Georgia Cemetery at 1:00 pm.

Matthew 5:3-12 KJV

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they that hunger

and thirst after righteousness,

for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you,

and persecute you, and shall say

all manner of evil against you falsely,

for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,

for great is your reward in heaven,

for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Schreck family.