Rock Hill, SC – Margaret Gilfillan Hilton, 89, of Rock Hill, SC, passed away at her home in the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 6th, 2023. Margaret was born in Gaffney, SC on July 6th, 1934 to the late Estelle Marian Elliot and the late John Clem Gilfillan. After many years of dedication, Mrs. Hilton retired from The Celanese Corporation where she worked as a weaver. She was also a well-known member of her church, First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Rock Hill, SC, now known as Ignite Church.
Margaret was raised with a baby brother and 3 sisters. She was taught the importance of a strong work ethic as a young girl, plowing, planting, and tending to a garden to helped feed her family. Keeping that same momentum through adulthood, Margaret often spoke about a time she worked 3 consecutive shifts, and often changed her shoes in between each shift to feel less worn out. Margaret moved to Chicago, and worked as a baker for Sara Lee, where she would give birth to her first and only daughter, Samantha. After a tragic car accident, her daughter lost her life but left Margaret with 2 grandchildren, Elisha and Jasmine, whom Margaret loved unconditionally and would help to raise them into their adult lives.
A little later in her life Margaret married Mr. James Lewis Hilton, also Known as “JR”, from Kannapolis, NC. Together they enjoyed tending to their garden at their home in Rock Hill, SC. Margaret loved to cook with fresh vegetables and make homemade meals for the family. She decided to dedicate her life to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and became a well-known member of her church. Often the first to arrive and last to leave church, she enjoyed being a part of the Praise & Worship Team. She will always be remembered for her love of The Lord and her love for her family, especially her grandchildren. A free spirit who was full of laughter and joy, lived to share the words, “God Bless You, may you prosper and be in good health.” with everyone she came in contact with.
Mrs. Hilton is survived by her grandchildren, Elisha Mark Jessurun and Jasmine Ann Jessurun of Rock Hill; her great-grandson, Noah Eli Jessurun of Rock Hill; her sister, Marian “Katie” Upchurch of Rock Hill; her brother, Jimmy Gilfillan of Gaffney; her 2 nieces, Sheila Shoemake and Doris Jean Davis.
Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Lewis James Hilton; her daughter, Samantha Ann Hovencamp; her mother and father, Estelle Elliot and John Clem Gilfillan.
The family will receive friends on Monday, September 11, 2023 from 12:00 PM until 1:00PM at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC, 29732. Reveren John Monteith will be officiating, which is directly following the visitation at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made out to Ignite Church, 1105 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill, SC, 29730 as this is what Mrs. Hilton would have desired.
Condolences can be made online at www.greenefuneralhome.net.