Life and Legacy
IN LOVING MEMORY Musetta Mae Hilliard, affectionately known as “Theresa”, was born May 9, 1933, in LaGrange, NC to the late George Rouse and Musetter Gardner-Rouse of Lenoir County, NC. She was the sixth of seven children from this union. She graduated from Frink High School in 1950 and married the late Ben Kornegay, Jr. in 1953 then gave birth to five children. Her free spirit led her to New York City, where she worked as a Seamstress and a Gift-wrapper. After experiencing life in New York, she relocated to Washington, D.C. where she met and married the late William Thomas Hilliard and bore two additional children. Theresa embraced her spiritual roots when joining First Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. in 1977. She was a longtime faithful member who was active in her Praise Circle and served on the Usher Board for over 25 years. Her passion for ushering elevated her interest to obtain further training. She graduated from the ICUA School of Ushering in 1996, elevating from the Young Adult Usher Board to the Senior Usher Board. In 2006, after relocating to Temple Hills, Maryland, she joined the Ebenezer AME Church family. In 1991, she was initiated in the Washington, DC Order of Eastern Star where she enjoyed working and being a member. Musetta M. Hilliard’s passion to serve and help others led her to seek employment at the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) where she happily worked as the Front Desk Clerk for 20 years until retiring in May 2013. Her numerous plaques, certificates, and recognition showed her hard work and dedication to her craft. In addition to her unwavering compassion for people, Musetta enjoyed numerous interests and hobbies such as spending time with her family, cooking, learning the latest dance moves, listening to R&B and Gospel, meeting new people, playing games, making her bed, and collecting all kinds of stuffed animals of which she adored talking to and playing with. There are so many memories captured because of her love for taking photos.
Life and Legacy
IN LOVING MEMORY Diagnosed in 2013 with dementia, her bull-like strength exuded as she unwaveringly fought to overcome the day-to-day obstacles of her illness for over a decade. Each day presented new challenges as the disease grew stronger. She continued finding new ways to reveal her vibrant personality by connecting with her loved ones using terms of endearment like “hey darling” or “hi sweetie,” a random dance, joke, and sometimes unexpected childhood recalls. Trapped in her own mind of meshed memories, she never gave up or took the easy way out. She ultimately received her wings on October 25, 2023 at 2:24pm at Virginia Hospital Center with her family at her side. An imperfect woman, beloved by so many, unapologetic for who she was, spent many years spreading her joy and breathtaking personality among the many she encountered. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Eula Robinson, Clara Waters, Bertha Kornegay, Herman Rouse, Willie Rouse, Hazel Lowe and eldest son, Benjamin Kornegay. She is survived by a large, loving family as her legacy continues through 6 children, Larry Kornegay (Sheila), Clarence Kornegay (Lessette), Gloria Martin, Teresa Farrow, Rhonda Hughes, and Verna Johnson (Adrian); 14 beautiful grandchildren, Benjamin Poinsett, Michael Hicks, Toni Houston, Zakee Kornegay, April Henry (Blane), Kimberly Martin, Willie Fred Martin Jr., Stephanie Farrow, Daryl Farrow, Benjamin Farrow, Zeolaunte’ Hilliard-Hughes, Eugenia Kelley (Salice), VerNian Hughes, Veronda Owens, and 4 bonus grandchildren. She is also survived by 16 amazing great-grandchildren, including 3 bonus great-grands, 2 beloved great great-grandbabies, and her loving Goddaughter, along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends. So, whether you knew her as Musetta, Theresa, Tea, Ma, Mom, Grandma, Goddie, NaNa, MaMa, or Ms. Hill, her energy was infectious as she affectionately made her impression upon so many. Ma, your legacy will forever be within the hearts of us who knew and loved you.
Order of Service
MUSET TA M AE HILLIARD Reverend Kevin Taylor, Presiding Minister of Comfort and Congregation Care Organ Prelude Processional Musical Selection.................................................................................................“Hold to His Hands” - Constance Rowe First Lady of Greater Tyson Temple & Comfort Ensemble Prayer of Comfort Scripture Readings Old Testament: Psalms 23...................................................................................................April Henry (Granddaughter) New Testament: John 14:1-7.......................................................................................Kimberly Martin (Granddaughter) Musical Selection........................................................................................“Take Me To The King” – Comfort Ensemble Poetry Reading...............................................................................................................Eugenia Kelley (Granddaughter) Tributes (Please Limit to Two Minutes Each) Kitty Chaney (First Baptist Church, Washington, DC) VerNian Hughes (Grandson) Veronda Owens (Granddaughter) Verna Johnson (Daughter) Acknowledgements....................................................................................................................Gloria Martin (Daughter) Obituary (Read Silently) Musical Selection........................................................................................“It Is Well With My Soul” - Constance Rowe First Lady of Greater Tyson Temple & Comfort Ensemble Message of Comfort.............................................................................................................................Pastor Richard Bell Elevate Church Benediction.....................................................................................................................................Reverend Kevin Taylor Minister of Comfort and Congregation Care Recessional......................................................................................................“Going Up a Yonder” - Comfort Ensemble Interment Washington National Cemetery 4101 Suitland Road, Suitland-Silver Hill, MD 20746 (Immediately following the service) Repast (For the Family) Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex 7007 Bock Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744
Special Words
WEEP NOT FOR ME By an Unknown Author Weep not for me though I have gone Into that gentle night Grieve if you will, but not for long Upon my soul’s sweet flight Tam at peace, my soul’s at rest There is no need for tears For with your love I was so blessed For all those many years There is no pain, I suffer not The fear is now all gone Put now these things out of your thoughts In your memory I live on Remember not my fight for breath Remember not the strife Please do not dwell upon my death But celebrate my life
Special Acknowledgements The family of Musetta M. Hilliard wishes to express heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation for the many calls, prayers, cards, visits, flowers, food and other expressions of sympathy and love shown during this time of bereavement. Your expression of compassion and kindness will always be remembered. Thank you to the Ebenezer AME Church family for your unwavering support and countless prayers. May God richly bless each of you! PALLBEARERS Zeolaunte’ Hilliard-Hughes VerNian Hughes Willie Fred Martin Jr. Benjamin Poinsettt Benjamin Ra’Michael Poinsett AJ Weaver FLORAL BEARERS Family and Friends
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SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO: Strickland Funeral Services 6500 Allentown Road Temple Hills, MD 20748 (301) 449-0400