1936-2025
Carolyn Faye Hill, 89, of Grenola, Kansas, passed away on Saturday evening, December 27, 2025, in Winfield.
Carolyn was born on April 20, 1936, in Cedar Vale, Kansas, to Albia “Bus” and Eulia (Johnson) Mattocks. She was raised and received her early education in Cedar Vale before moving with her family to Grenola. She graduated from Grenola High School in 1954 and later moved to Arkansas City, where she was employed by Cowley County SRS.
On October 13, 1955, Carolyn was united in marriage to Joseph Hardy “Joe” Hill in Hutchinson, Kansas. The couple began their married life in Hutchinson, where Carolyn continued working for SRS. In 1960, they moved to Wichita, where she devoted herself to being a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. In 1966, the family made their permanent home in Grenola. There, Carolyn worked as a cook for the Grenola School and was a dedicated Avon representative for more than 35 years. Joe preceded her in death on September 16, 2001.
Carolyn was an active member of the Grenola United Methodist Church, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and Royal Neighbors. She was a founding member of the Grenola Senior Citizens Center and generously served her community as a 4-H leader and Library Board member. In her free time, she enjoyed ceramics, plastic canvas, gardening, sewing, and reading. She took great pride in making many of her children’s clothes, including Karen’s wedding dress.
She is survived by her children, Karen Donnelly of Winfield; Pam Dunbar of Washington; and Joe Hill and his wife, Lu, of Winfield; her grandchildren, Jeremy Donnelly, Sarah Bowman, Chris Dunbar, and Whitney Dunbar; her great-grandchildren, Grace Donnelly and Jensen Bowman; and her sister-in-law, Elva Mattocks.
In addition to her parents and husband, Carolyn was preceded in death by a daughter Sharon Hill, her brothers, Chuck Mattocks, and Lynn Mattocks, a sister Nila Webster.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Grenola United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Grenola. Visitation will take place at Miles Funeral Service on Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family greeting friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Memorials have been established in Carolyn’s memory for the Grenola Museum and the Grenola Library and may be made through the funeral home.
