Marion Anthony Hilliard
1965 - 2024
Marion Anthony “Chick” Hilliard the youngest son of the late Marion and Cornelia Hilliard, and the younger brother of Michael Andre Hilliard was born on December 31, 1965. On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Marion transitioned from life on Earth to be with his Father in Heaven while doing the work he dearly loved.
At an early age, Marion accepted Christ and was baptized at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Affectionately known as “Chick” by family and friends, Marion was a vivacious, energetic, and kind person a true gift to the world.
As a young boy, Marion served as the “mascot” for the FAMU Marching 100 band. After pregame and halftime performances at Bragg Memorial Stadium, onlookers could see him collecting the orange and green plumes that decorated the field. Marion was absolutely adorable as he ran from one end zone to the other, carefully collecting each and every hat ornament.
Marion was also an accomplished swimmer, having been taught by the late Robert P. “Pete” Griffin, FAMU’s legendary track and swimming coach, at the FAMU/Jake Gaither Gymnasium Pool alongside many other youths. He later became a swim instructor himself, teaching swimming to numerous youngsters, from toddlers to adolescents.
As the son of Mrs. Hilliard, a member of the Tallahassee Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. a national civic organization that provides social, cultural, and educational opportunities for African American children Marion and his brother were active participants in the organization’s age-level groups over the years. At age 13, he joined the Teens Group, which involved traveling to Southeastern Teen Regional Conferences each summer. During his five years in the Tallahassee Chapter’s Teen Group, Marion traveled to Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee (Southeastern Region), participating in the chapter’s award-winning skits and forging lifelong friendships with peers from other chapters in the region.
Marion graduated from Florida High School in 1983. As a “Florida High Demon,” he was a member of the Marching and Symphonic Bands, where he excelled as a talented drummer. He thoroughly enjoyed attending his alma mater’s football and basketball games, as well as the dances and social events that followed.
For many years, Marion lived and worked in Atlanta, Georgia, where he established a career in lawn maintenance and tree service. From pruning shrubs and bushes to taking down large trees and branches, Marion was dedicated to his profession. On more than a few occasions, he was called upon to rescue felines from treetops, bringing relief and happiness to the cats’ owners. He was also known for stopping to assist stranded motorists on highways, always ready to offer help wherever he could. While in Atlanta, Marion reconnected with his high school classmate, Angela Michele Hilliard. The two were married in Lawrenceville, Georgia, on June 1, 2010, and have been devoted companions for the past 14 years. Together, they became loving parents to their “fur babies,” Nate and Drake, their beloved German Shepherds who have since crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Upon moving back to Tallahassee, they began renovations on Marion’s childhood home, residing there during the process, and welcomed two more German Shepherds, Kojo and Luna, into their family. Marion never met a stranger, believed in kindness, and understood that sometimes the best medicine was laughter. He loved to crack jokes, often flashing his big, brown eyes before breaking into roaring laughter that filled the room. Marion brought immense joy and light to all who knew and loved him, and he will be deeply missed.
Marion is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Angela M. Herring-Hilliard, of Tallahassee; his brother and sister-in-law, Michael (Carolyn) Hilliard; his niece and nephew, Brea Hilliard and Brandon Hilliard, all of Atlanta, GA; his stepsons, James Holiday Jr. and Eugene Delton Williams (JoAnn), both of Tallahassee; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Morris and Virginia Herring, of Tallahassee; his grandfather-in-law, Joseph “Daddy Joe” Williams, of Tallahassee; his sister-in-law, Kim Herring Dickey, and nephew, Antoine Dickey, both of Tallahassee; his brothers-in-law, Gregory Herring, of Denver, CO, and Wilbert Gene Watkins (Erlinda), of Tallahassee; his beloved German Shepherds, Kojo and Luna; and many extended family members and friends.
