Robinson & Son Mortuary
Tomasina Elizabeth Hill Stewart was born Nov. 3, 1930, the second child and oldest daughter of James and Alice Butler Hill of Ninety Six, South Carolina. Affectionately known in the family as "Baby Toy"?she was named for her Uncle Thomas, whose nickname was "Toy"?and by her friends in Florence County as "Tommie," she was bold in her opinions and unflagging in her devotion to her family, friends, and community.
Though Tomasina's education began in humble circumstances, walking to Center Grade School, a proverbial two-room schoolhouse in Ninety Six, she showed early promise as a scholar. She graduated from Brewer Normal School, where her beloved Uncle "Toy" Thomas was the agriculture faculty person at Brewer. As the first of her siblings to attend college, Tomasina earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Benedict College, where she also met and married the love of her life, A.J. Stewart of Florence. Very rare for a woman of color at this time, she also continued her education, earning a master's degree from the prestigious Teachers College-Columbia University in New York City in the 1950s.
In South Carolina, the young couple settled first in Dillon. There, they taught in the public schools and, at the urging of "Miss Willie," the step-sister of our beloved "Uncle Stewart," converted to the Roman Catholic faith. In due course, both Tomasina and A.J. were able to obtain positions in the Florence County schools where they taught until they retired.
Tomasina was a member of the National Council of Negro Women and the Top Ladies of Distinction Inc. She was active in the Benedict College Alumni Association and was a member of the Florence County Retired Educators Association. But nearest and dearest to her heart was her church.
"Aunt Baby Toy" and "Uncle Stewart" were faithful members of St. Ann Catholic Church, one of only 11 historically Black Catholic parishes in the state. She was a member of the Ladies Guild and served two terms as president. Her fellow church members still recall the memorable Black History Month programs she created as chairwoman of the program committee. And the delicious dishes she created for the Harvest Tea, the parish picnic, and the annual BBQ were the stuff of legend.
To her everlasting regret, Tomasina was never blessed with children, but she was a nonetheless an amazing role model for the Hill and Stewart women. Intelligent, cultivated, and a career woman, she also kept an immaculate home where hospitality was the watchword. For many years she maintained an enormous vegetable garden on an empty lot adjoining her back yard that pumped out enough vegetables in enough variety and quantity to feed the neighborhood. She enjoyed canning, making jams and preserves, and experimenting with recipes. Indeed, every meal with Tomasina was a feast of homemade delights and the much-thumbed pages of her Southern Living magazines ensured an impeccable presentation as well.
Tomasina lives in our memories as a woman with a wickedly cutting tongue and an enormous reserve of common sense. She loved laughter, going dancing with her husband, loved throwing parties and picnics; she worked tirelessly with her sisters and cousins to plan family reunions and always put family first.
Tomasina departed this life April 15, 2025, after a short illness. She is survived by a sister, Edith Culbreath of Greenwood, S.C., as well as by a brother-in-law, Lonnie Hamilton III (Charleston), a sister-in-law, Janie Hill, and many nieces and nephews. These include Vanessa Hill of Columbia, S.C. (Brady); Dr. Kendra Hamilton of Clinton, S.C. (Clarissa); Attorney Randall Williams (Shirley) of Greenwood, S.C.; LaSheila Culbreath Wylie and Sherri Culbreath Morgan of Greenwood and Keisha Culbreath of Charleston (Edith), along with their many children and grandchildren; and Curtis Hill Jr. of Greenwood, S.C. (Curtis).
Services will be 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Pine Pleasant Baptist Church, Officiating Rev. Willie Kennedy. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Viewing will be from 1-6 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2025, at Robinson and Son Mortuary, Inc. Arrangements are being handled by Robinson and Son Mortuary Inc.
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