Mr. Robert Gwynn “John Henry” Hill, of Stuart Virginia, passed Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He was born in Patrick County, Virginia on February 23, 1939 to the late Samuel Jackson Hill and Kate Joyce Hill. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his loving wife, Annie Sue Hill, a daughter, Annette H. Penn; daughter in law Sellinah Hill, three brothers, James “Bro” Hill, Dillard (Mozelle) Hughes Hill, and Ralph Hill, and five sisters, Thursa Hill, Thelma (King) Hylton, Hazel (Chalk) Corbett, Constance “Eldean” (Willie) Clark, and Carrie W. (Ralph) Tatum, and his extended family which includes Samuel Joyce, Olya Joyce, and Brenda Joyce.
Robert was known by many nicknames, including John Henry, Big Papa, Papa Hill, and Big John. Everyone who loved and adored him had a special name for him, and he treated everyone he encountered with kindness and respect. For over 30 years, Robert worked at East Hampton Rubberthread in the textile department. He was also a member of Hylton Thessolonia Primitive Baptist Church. Robert Hill was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. If you knew “Big John,” you were aware of his passions: he had a deep love for NASCAR and Richard Petty, the Atlanta Braves and Chipper Jones, classic westerns like “Rifleman,” and game shows such as “Wheel of Fortune” and “Family Feud” with Steve Harvey. He enjoyed spending his time outdoors, whether it was in his garden, riding his tractor, or sitting on the porch.
Mr. Hill is survived by his four children, Wayne (Bessie) Hill, James Robert Hill of Stuart, Virginia, Mary (Daryl) Smith of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Corretta H. Anthony of Stuart, Virginia; two son in laws, Ricky Penn of Patrick Springs, Virginia and Ray Anthony of Stuart, Virginia; one sister in law Lucille Hill of Martinsville, VA; eleven grandchildren, James Hylton, Brad Penn, Shuana Penn, Adrian Penn, Khyva Burgess, Sandile Hill, MaSwazi Gause, Daryl Smith Jr., Marquetta Reid, Erika Anthony, and Denzel Anthony; fifteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; his extended family Helina Sammons of Washington D.C., and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Funeral Service for Mr. Hill will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Benjamin Redd officiating. Burial will follow in Patrick Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
