Meriwether Hill Fentress

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Margaret Meriwether Hill Fentress on Friday, March 1, 2024, at age 56 with her family by her side. Meriwether was a beautiful, fun loving, creative mother, daughter, sister and friend.

She was born to Margaret Brunson Hill and James Chapelle Hill, Jr. on March 23, 1967 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Meriwether attended Ravenscroft School and then graduated High School from St. Mary’s School. Meriwether attended the College of Charleston, where she played tennis and graduated with BS in English. She also attained her Masters in Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University, studying plants and design which she so enjoyed, and for which she had an immense talent.

Meriwether worked for the World Wildlife Fund after college and then became a guide for Marine Expeditions, which took scientists and tourists alike to Antarctica and beyond. She traveled the world on icebreakers, and was appropriately named for Meriwether Lewis, as she was a true adventurer. After receiving her degree in Landscape Architecture, she became a successful and appreciated landscape designer creating and installing many beautiful gardens and landscapes.

Meriwether was on the Building and Grounds Committee at Christ Church in Raleigh, belonged to the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of North Carolina, Wake Committee, was a member of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina, and The Circle Club. She was presented by the Terpsichorean Club at the North Carolina State Debutante Ball. Meriwether spent all of her life enjoying the out of doors, she was a true nature girl, and spent many happy hours with family and friends at the South Carolina beaches, especially North Litchfield, South Carolina.

She most enjoyed time with family and friends, loved music and concerts, yoga, art and design, she was a wonderful cook, an environmentalist, a natural athlete who enjoyed any sport and competition. Meriwether found great pleasure in walks with Waylon with friends, discovering new varieties of all kinds of plants and designing gardens, sitting on the beach, listening to music. She knew how to embrace life and get the best out of a moment. Her sense of humor knew no bounds and she truly could make anyone smile. Meriwether was centered, thoughtful, steadfast and kind. So many loved her and spoke of Meriwether as a generous, often hilarious and talented free spirit. Meriwether was not about controlling plants or people, she understood how to plant seeds, fertilize and let them grow and flourish.

Meriwether is survived by her beloved son, John Dixon Fentress, Jr., who brought her much joy in life. She is also survived by her adoring parents, Margaret and Jim Hill: her sister, Charlotte Hill Wickham and husband John, their sons John, Edward, Ashby and Brunson, Charlotte, North Carolina: brother, James Chapelle Hill, III and wife Katherine and their children, James IV, Teddy, and Walker of Richmond, Virginia.

She is also survived by former husband, John Dixon Fentress.

A memorial service will be held on March 20, 2024, at Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh at 1:00 pm. Reverend David Frazelle and Reverend Jim Adams officiating. A reception will follow at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, North Carolina.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials and contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 120 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601 ( https://ccral.org/give/memorial-honorarium/) or to the Meriwether Fund for Leukemia and Stem Cell Transplant support and research at this link https://diy.lls.org/fundraiser/5328401?is_new=true

Arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.