Obituary for Zack Hilliard

MR. TALMADGE F. “ZACK” HILLIARD, age 89, of Rhine, GA, died Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Dodge County Hospital.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Tuesday, March 4, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 812 Pleasant Grove Church Rd., Rhine, GA, 31077, with Chaplain George Grimes, Dr. Jarrett Burch, and Mr. Ben Waller officiating, with interment in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

 Zack was born on November 28, 1935, in Rhine, GA. He was a member and deacon of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was a graduate of Rhine High School and attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran. He moved to Brunswick, GA went to work for Southern Railroad Company where he worked for over 10 years. He married Venelle Durden in 1956 and his daughter, Carmen, was born in 1959 while the family resided in Brunswick. He moved the family to Atlanta in 1961 and continued working for the railroad before becoming an automobile salesman for Beaudry Ford in Atlanta. During those years he became sales manager for the company. He worked there for over 10 years until his wife passed away in 1971. Later that year, Zack moved his family back to Rhine and worked for Freeman Graham at Graham Motor Company which later became Hilliard Motor Company where Zack was an owner and operator until the mid-1990s. In 1973 he met his future wife through a car sale. He began dating Charlotte Norris and they married on December 21, 1974. They raised three children, Carmen, Norris Ann, and Henry in Rhine, GA. Zack was a successful automobile dealer and was known for his honesty and integrity. In the late 1990s and early 2000s he partnered with is son-in-law, Rocky Stuckey through Way Brothers, Inc. of Hawkinsville, GA, and opened a Way Brothers branch in Eastman and continued to be respected by his peers and friends in the Car business. He worked in the automobile business enthusiastically for over 40 years. Zack and Charlotte opened a restaurant and grocery business, Zack and Charlotte’s Place, which they owned and operated for several years in Rhine. Zack was a dedicated Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother and Uncle. He enjoyed Cars, Farming, Georgia Bulldogs Football, Atlanta Braves Baseball, and spending time with his family and friends. He loved his Lord and church and was a devout Christian. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Zack was the son of the late Zesta Yancey Hilliard and Talmadge D. “Tal” Hilliard and was preceded in death by his first wife, Venelle Durden Hilliard and Brother-in-law, Don Presley.

 He is survived by his Wife of 50 years – Charlotte Norris Hilliard of Rhine, GA; Daughters – Carmen Stuckey (Rocky) and Norris Ann Velasquez (Lee Roy), both of Rhine, GA; Son – Henry Hilliard (Jessica) of Rhine, GA; Grandchildren – Noel Stuckey Tripp (Wil) of Eastman, GA, Roxan Stuckey Webster (Jason) of Brunswick, GA, JonWesley Berry, Zet Hilliard, and Isla Rose Velasquez all of Rhine, GA; Great-Grandchildren – Dixie Tripp, Penelope Tripp, Rocker Tripp, Jett Daniel Webster, Rockie Jo Webster, and Radlee Jaye Webster; Sister – Javene Hilliard Presley of Chamblee, GA; Niece and Nephew – Selena Presley Keenan (Mike) and Eric Presley (Angie); Several great-nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and many friends.

 The family may be contacted at the Hilliard residence, 150 4th Avenue, Rhine, GA, and will receive friends in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church from 1:00PM-2:00PM Tuesday, March 4. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 812 Pleasant Grove Church Rd., Rhine, GA, 31077.