Joseph Rathane Hill, Sr.
February 8, 1950 ~ December 31, 2025
Celebrating the Life of Joseph Rathane Hill Sr.
Joseph Rathane Hill Sr., 75, of Fayetteville, GA passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025. Born on February 8, 1950, in Birmingham, AL, Joseph was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose remarkable life was filled with love, determination, and joy. Joseph was a member of First Baptist Church, Pratt City, Al. He found Christ at a young age and was baptized by Reverend R B Martin. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Fannie Lou (Dunklin) Hill and Robert Olivia Hill, whose love and guidance shaped him into the remarkable man he became. He is survived by his siblings: Lt. Colonel Mark William Hill (Erness Arbon), Ann Hill-May (John Marion May) and Nezaree King. He is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives whose bonds with him will forever be cherished.
Joseph was the youngest of a large family and was preceded in death by his beloved siblings: Olivia Hill, Gloria Veasley, Raphael Hill, Vivian Thomas, Robert Earl Hill, Altheria Hill, Arbra Horton, Phamalia Lacey, Iona Towner, and Rex Hill. Their memories and love will be cherished by all who knew them.
He is also survived by his high school sweetheart and devoted wife of 54 years, Gaynell Hairston Hill; his daughter, Dr. Tiffanni Dior Forbes, MD; his son, Joseph Rathane Hill Jr. (Connicia Hill); granddaughters Taylor Crawford, Alecia Hill, Jordyn Brianna Forbes, Aumiyah High, Chaniya Hill, and Chakira Hill; grandson James Kareem Forbes; and great-granddaughters Avayah Ma’Healani Moyer and Asanni Lahela‘Mi Moyer.
Joseph enjoyed a distinguished career at United Parcel Service and Delta Airlines as a lead customer service supervisor specializing in foreign travel experiences. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to found two successful businesses: The Gift Gallery, an upscale boutique, and First-Class Transportation, a non-urgent medical transportation company.
Joseph's journey was marked by resilience and triumph. Overcoming a childhood ailment that left him in braces on his left leg until the 8th grade, he became a world-class sprinter at Western Olin High School, earning the moniker "Mustang Joe." Joseph Hill continues to hold speed records at now Jackson Olin High school. His athleticism secured him a full scholarship to the University of Kentucky. His granddaughters Chaniya and Chakira Hill trend on the heels of his speed by becoming track stars in their right. Chaniya placed first in the state in the 4x400, and Chakira placed 3rd in the state in the 200 meters. Joseph later transferred to Morehouse College where he eloped with beloved wife, Gaynell, who attended Spelman College. At Morehouse, Joseph proudly joined the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and played tuba in the Morehouse College Marching Band.
Music was a significant part of Joseph's life. He held the distinct honor of being a drum major at Western Olin High. His passion for the tuba was passed down to his grandchildren, Jordyn and James Forbes, who are both distinguished tubist. Jordyn honored her grandfather by performing "A Touch of Tuba," a song he played in high school, achieving high honors at the Georgia Solo and Ensemble competition. Both Jordyn and James Forbes followed in their grandfather's footsteps by marching proudly while playing the sousaphone in the championship Fayette County Marching Tigers Band continuing a cherished family tradition that celebrates music and honor.
Joseph’s talent, wit, storytelling, and infectious laughter will be deeply cherished and remembered by all who knew him. His sage words of wisdom and wonderful smile will continue to inspire those he touched.
Joseph Rathane Hill Sr. will be profoundly missed but forever remembered, celebrating a legacy of love, determination, and joy.
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The staff of Southern Cremations and Funerals wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Joseph Hill Sr.
My sincere condolences to Gaynell Hill and family.
My condolences to the Hill family God is still on the throne, Revlhall
My sincere condolences to Gaynell and her family. We send our love and prayers to you and your family. May God continue to comfort and keep you as only he can.
Our prayers are with the family at this time and all Times. Joe was my friend and Brother. Rev. Melvin Bishop
“Our deepest sympathies goes out to you for this unexpected loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Love,
Jonathan & Jackie Mayfield
My deepest condolence to the family🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Uncle Joe , you f fought a good fight, strong to the end. I will miss all your educational, talks, kicking knowledge. You were a bright light in our family, you got to witness all of our births and so the world and now we get to celebrate you as you make your final resting place with our Lord and Savior, I had so many memories of you but the one I will never forget is when you attended my wedding and we were looking at a person walk and tied up with at least 10 balloons around them, wondering who it was and we looked out in his new world to laugh we had I love you, Uncle Joe and until we meet again, get your rest
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Sending our heartfelt condolences! With Sympathy,Love, & Care
Uncle Joe, you were one of my favorite uncles. I will keep you in my memory and in my heart forever.
Gaynell, Tiffani and Joe Jr., my sincere condolences truly goes out to you and the Hill family. Joe was a wonderful and charming person who touched the lives of so many people and he will be greatly missed. I am praying for your peace and comfort.🙏🏽
To my Bro-n-Law Joe, I’m going to miss your face and our talks. You’re more than a Bro-n-law you were a brother and we love you. Barbara & Tyrone
Our condolences to you and your family. We are thinking of you and wishing you strength and comfort during this time.
Joe I’m sorry for your loss you will always have memories of your father my prayers are with you all. May God Bless You and Your Family.
My deepest condolences to Gaynell Hill and family. May God send you a Comforter during your time of bereavement. RIP Joe.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Sending our condolences 💐 your nieces in Birmingham Alabama Crystal Horton and Kendra Thomas
My sincerest condolences Gaynell and family in the transitioning of your beloved husband/father Joe. His legacy will be etched in Western/Jackson Olin forever.
My sincere and deepest sympathy to the family. Joe will always be remembered as our Drum Major from J.O. High School.
My condolences on the passing of your loved one. May their memory brings you comfort.
My sincere condolences, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
My dear friend Gaynell,
It is natural to feel sadness and grief at this moment of loss but always know that God is the source of our strength and He will give you the love and comfort you need at this time. Always remember the loving memories of your husband, Joe, to hold in your heart forever and always. I wish you comfort and peace during this difficult time and I pray for many joyful days ahead.
Sincere condolences to you and your family.
– Faye Baker Carter
Gaynell and family I send my deepest condolences to you all. May God continue to shower His peace,comfort and love on you all in your season of bereavement. Love Norva
Sending our condolences Mrs Ruth Hill and family.🎆
Dear Gaynell,
Sending you and your family my sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather. Cherish his memories, and hold them close to your heart.
Spelman Classmate,
Loretta Greene Johnson
Condolences to the Hill family. Joe was a man of great character wisdom and knowledge. He didn’t mind sharing his gifts with others.
I will pray for your strength. We all will miss him. He was truly a blessing. Love you guys.
James &Gwendolyn Jackson
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gaynell, Praying God will comfort and care for you and your family while you celebrate the legacy that lives on. My deepest condolences on the loss of your husband. I hold you in my thoughts, wishing you peace and strength my Spelman Sister. Valerie Dickerson Pittman
Condolences to the family and prayers for peace and resilience during this time. Rest well on the Golden Shores Brother Hill.
Our prayers are with the Hill family From cousin Christine Bland and family.
To the Hill family,
My brother and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Joe. Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Our late mother, Leezett Young-Stewart. Knew the Hill family from Pratt city and often spoke of Joe. I know she would be deeply saddened by this loss. Three years ago, I have the opportunity to spend time with Joe at a family event. From the moment I walked into the Hill family home, Joe made me feel like family. He greeted me with a smile and hug and said,” I know exactly who you are, little Leezett.” My brother and I offer our prayers of comfort, and peace during this time.
Marion Jr. and Joilea
Our sincere condolences to the Hill family. With sympathies,Reyes and Danika Montelongo
RIP Nupe
Joe Hill was more than a friend, He was also my Homeboy. I got to know Joe during our College years at Morehouse College, where his loyalty, his humor and his realness stood out from day one.Outside of crossing each others’ paths and engaging in ” cocktail hour,” on and off Campus, we had other things in common.My wife, Yolande knew him since Elementary School. During one of our “cocktail sessions” I learned that my Grandmother, Bernice Smart taught him at Jackson-Olin as well. These things made our connection even more Special.Joe had a way of leaving people with great memories and even better laughs.He may be physically gone, but the joy, sense of humor, friendship, and funny stories will live on for a long long time. ” Rest Easy, Homeboy and Thanks for the Memories..l Walter”Swig”, and Yolande.
I am sending g my condolences to Gaynell and her entire family. Although i have only known Gaynell Hill for a short time, her love for her husband spoke volumes.
May he rest in eternal peace.⚘️
Praying for the family and friends!
With deepest sympathy,
I extend my deepest condolences to Gaynell and her family! Joe and Gaynell were very good friends and Joe was always smiling and joking! I remember many good times and celebrations! May the peace of God continue to strengthen you and the family,
My sincere condolences to Gaynell, Tiffanni and family. May the Grace of God fill you with His presence and His Peace surround you during your time of bereavement. Praying for the family.
May God bring healing & comfort to your hearts during this time of sadness. Memories of Mr. Hill will forever be in our hearts. Love, Al & Donna.
Having attended Morehouse and being placed in an educational environment conducive to meeting and fellowshipping with students as gifted, as talented, and as phenomenal as Joe Hill was, I count that experience as a tremendous blessing even now. While Joe and I pursued different paths at Morehouse, It was a pleasure to be in his presence when that opportunity presented itself. He will be sorely missed by all of us whose lives he touched and each of us on whom he made an indelible impression. May God bless Joe’s memory, bring comfort to his family, and grant them the determination and the strength to carry on in his absence. Joe’s earthly journey has ended now, and I trust that God has received him in that heavenly estate where Joe can witness its splendor and enjoy the fellowship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the angels, and the heavenly host of loved ones who have gone on before him. Respectfully submitted by James W. Moore, ’73
Gaynell, I was so sad when you called to inform me of Joseph’s passing. I know what a real hardship it is to lose your partner in life after such a long marriage. My heart goes out to you and your lovely family.
Please know that you, your children and extended family are in my prayers.
I offer my deepest condolences to the Hairston and Hill families.
May God guide, bless and comfort you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Bobby Palmer
On behalf of the AMWL family, we send our love and condolences in this time of need. May God give you peace. We love you!
Quinton (Charita) Cheatham
Gaynell. My sincerest condolences to you and your children.
From high school years, I remember you and Joe, boygriend/girlfriend. Then marriage.
from where I sat, you two always seemed to enjoy the company of the other. Your love for one another……Well of course….It’s just Joe and Gaynell. So happy to have met you both.
May you remember God’s presence in the process.
Pat (Pritchett) Lewis.
With heartfelt condolences,