MRS. CHARLOTTE NORRIS HILLIARD, age 81, of Rhine, GA, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her family.
MRS. CHARLOTTE NORRIS HILLIARD, age 81, of Rhine, GA, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Friday, December 5, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, with Mr. Bobby Ryals officiating, with interment in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Charlotte was born in Ocilla, Georgia on November 21, 1944, to the late James Henry Norris and Rosa Lee Dowdy Norris. She grew up in Fitzgerald, GA, where she graduated from Fitzgerald High School, and later attended Tift College, in Tifton, GA, where she earned her Master of Cosmetology certification. She was an instructor at Ben Hill Irwin Technical College for over 30 years. She met her future husband, Zack, after he sold her mother an automobile, they were married December 21, 1973, and she soon after moved to Rhine, GA, where she was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Charlotte served as a councilwoman in Rhine in the 1980s and 90s and was a founding member of the Rhine Lady’s Club, where they specialized in projects to make the community better. She was co-owner and operator of Charlotte’s Place Restaurant and Store in the 1990s and worked for many years grading peanuts for the Georgia State inspection service. She was a hard-worker and was a large part of the fabric of Rhine for many years. Charlotte loved miniature horses, cooking for her family, watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Atlanta Braves baseball, and Georgia Bulldogs football. She enjoyed the opportunities she had to cut hair for her family and friends. In addition to her parents, Charlotte was preceded in death by her Husband of 50 years, Talmadge F. “Zack” Hilliard, and Brother-in-law, Don Presley.
She is survived by her Daughter – Norris Ann Hilliard Velasquez (Lee Roy) of Rhine; Son – Henry Hilliard (Jessy) of Rhine; Step-Daughter – Carmen Hilliard Stuckey (Rocky) of Rhine; Grandchildren – Jon Wesley Berry, Zet Hilliard, Isla Rose Velasquez, Noel Stuckey Tripp (Wil), and Roxan Stuckey Webster (Jason); Great-Grandchildren – Dixie Tripp, Penelope Tripp, Rocker Tripp, Jet Daniel Webster, Rockie Jo Webster, and Radlee Jaye Webster; Sister-in-law – Javene Hilliard Presley of Chamblee; Niece – Selen Presley Keenan (Mike); Nephew – Eric Presley (Angie); Several great-nieces and nephews.
The family may be contacted at the residence of Henry and Jessy Hilliard, 150 4th Avenue, Rhine, GA, and will receive friends in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church from 10:00AM-11:00AM Friday, December 5. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Gideons International Bible Fund.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.