Evelyn Teffeteller Hill

Mary “Evelyn” Teffeteller Hill, age 90, formerly of Kingsport, TN, passed away on June 5, 2024 in Johnson City, TN. She was born on February 7, 1934, in Maryville, TN. Evelyn was a beloved first grade teacher for 32 years, known for her kindness, patience, creative lessons on the solar system and dinosaurs, and quiet sense of humor. She taught in Alcoa, TN, Bristol, TN, and retired from Sullivan County Schools after teaching 27 years at Miller Perry Elementary Schools. 

Evelyn graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1952 at Everett High School in Maryville, TN, and earned her BS and MS from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Public education was an important legacy in her family, and she attended elementary school on property donated by her ancestors to build a community school. She was a dedicated member of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church for 54 years, serving as a Care Shepherd for many years. Evelyn was a member of the Colonial Heights Optimist Club for over 50 years, spending much time working at football games and Christmas tree sales as fundraisers.

In her free time, Evelyn enjoyed reading 3-4 novels a week from the Colonial Heights Public Library, playing Bridge with her friends, gardening, sewing, attending church and Optimist Club meetings, and creating embroidery and needlepoint art. She was an excellent seamstress and took pride in her craftsmanship. Evelyn was a dedicated Vols football fan, attending games starting in the 1940’s with her father. She met Richard while they were attending UT, which helped cement their dedication to the Volunteers. She loved watching the Lady Vols play basketball, and talking with her lifelong friend Audrey Blevins afterwards to discuss players and poor calls by officials. She also enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves play, and had many phone calls with her brother Gordon to discuss how each player performed. Evelyn and Richard loved going on cruises in their retirement, and enjoyed visiting countries in the Caribbean as well as visiting Alaska.

Evelyn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Richard Lee Hill II (Janeil) (Owens Cross Road, AL), daughter and son-in-law Anne Hill Trask (Bruce) (Johnson City, TN), grandson Dr. Nicholas Sherwood (Washington, DC), granddaughter Maggie Sherwood (Nashville, TN), step-granddaughter Chestney Trask (Kingsport, TN) and step-great-granddaughter Shannon Newcomb (Kingsport, TN). She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Richard Lee Hill, parents Ethel and Lamar Teffeteller, brother and sister-in-law Ralph Teffeteller (Polly), brother and sister-in-law Dr. Gordon Teffeteller (Elaine), and niece Cindy Teffeteller Moore. Evelyn leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, extended family, as well as many friends, and students whom she taught for decades.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 6, at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, Kingsport, TN. Visitation will begin at 12 PM, with the Service of Witness to the Resurrection starting at 1 PM. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Kingsport, TN.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, Friends of the Sullivan County Library, or Alzheimer’s Tennessee. The family thanks the staff of Brookdale of Johnson City for their dedicated compassionate care of Evelyn for the past 3 years, as well as Linda Roper, who provided love, friendship, care, and Pal’s milkshakes for Mom until her passing.