Hillis named Morrison Citizen of Year
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?She has done so much for this community. Whenever there is a need she is there to help,? said Mike Holland, chairman of the club?s Citizenship Committee.
A lifelong member of the Church of Christ, Hillis is known throughout the community as a person who cares deeply for others. She is always willing to make a few phone calls and get people together to help those in need.
She served two terms as president of the Morrison School PTO. She is a member of the Warren County A&L Fair Board. A winner of the 1973 Miss Warren County Pageant, she now helps organize and also emcees the Fairest of the Fair Pageant. She emcees the Morrison Ruritan Little Miss Valentine Pageant as well.
Her efforts on behalf of church and civic groups have lead to many successful benefits. She recently organized one of the most successful blood drives in Warren County history as part of the Marion and Connie Turner benefit. Several years ago, she also organized the highly successful blood drive for James Earl McAfee.
Herself a cancer survivor, she is active in both Relay for Life and Walk for the Cure. She will be participating in a fund-raising walk later this month.
The daughter of Granville and Violet McMahan, Denise has two sisters, Monte Hillis and Melody Warbington. Monte lives in McMinnville and is a teacher at WCHS. Melody lives in Birmingham where she works as a paralegal.
Denise is the granddaughter of John and Zora McMahan and Leon and Berda Bryan. Her mother- and father-in-law are Oma Hillis and her husband, former state Rep. I.V. Hills.
Denise and her husband of almost 27 years, Hugh, have four sons. Bart is 24 and twins Tyler and Cody are 21. Their youngest son is 20-year-old Caleb. All four boys are students at Tennessee Tech.
After graduating from WCHS, Denise received her college degree from Lipscomb University. She was employed at Carrier for 20 years. While there she helped several local groups receive a variety of donations. She and Warren Wrather are now starting a pallet business in Warren County.
?I have been blessed to be raised here,? said Hillis of the Morrison community. ?I wouldn?t trade living here for anything.?
Holland would like to invite everyone to come out the evening of April 22 and celebrate with Denise Hillis and her family. The banquet will begin at 7 p.m. at the Morrison Ruritan Club building, 121 W. Maple Street in Morrison.
The cost of the meal is $6 per person. For reservations please call Holland at 939-2540.