Sammie Larue (Guild) Hill

Sammie Hill died peacefully, January 12, 2023 in Abilene, Texas.  She is survived by her children D’Esta Love of Albuquerque, NM; Cheryl Elliott of Fayetteville, AR; Claude (Sonny) Guild, and his wife Eunice, of Abilene, TX; and Mary Sue Wagner, and her husband Bill, of Birmingham, AL. Sammie is also survived by eight grandsons, one granddaughter, twelve great grandsons, nine great granddaughters, and two great great granddaughters. She was 101 years old.

She was born in her parent’s home on April 16, 1921 to Samuel Lafayette and Velma Ovella Curry Hammon in Blair, OK. Sammie lost her father the year she was born. When she was five years old her mother married B.T. Lacy, of Warren, OK and from that time on she went by the name of Sammie Lacy. She graduated from Warren High School in 1938, where she was a member of the girl’s basketball team. Upon graduation Sammie enrolled in Abilene Christian College, where she met and married Claude Adrian Guild of Caldwell, ID. They were married during spring break, March 22, 1939, at which time she dropped out of her classes so they could go on their honeymoon. She was 18 years old.

Upon Claude’s graduation from ACC that spring, he and Sammie began their life together doing mission work in the Pacific Northwest, which was considered a mission field at the time. Together they established churches throughout Washington and Oregon and served local churches in Yakima, WA, Albany, OR, and Vancouver, BC Canada. Their ministry then took them to churches in Corsicana and Fort Worth, TX and to the Eastside Church of Christ in Portland, OR. While in Portland, they helped establish Columbia Christian College and Academy. Later, they moved back to Fort Worth, TX where Claude became President of Fort Worth Christian Junior College.

The persistent call to the mission field took them to Perth and Wynnum, Australia, with several mission trips to Africa and India. Someone once said of Claude and Sammie, “They have a map of the world engraved on their hearts.” While their love for souls and the call toserve churches took them many places, their love for Oregon brought them back to the Northwest to establish and minister to the Southwest Church of Christ in Tigard, OR.

Sammie was an exemplary preacher’s wife, serving and ministering at Claude’s side.  She was a gracious hostess, opening her home to members, visiting preachers, and many others, including college students who lived with the family while attending Columbia Christian.  She taught in the Sunday school program, as well as Ladies’ Bible classes. She continuedteaching a Ladies’ Bible class in her home until she was 98 years old. She was also the featured speaker at many ladies’ retreats and other special occasions for women.

Sammie distinguished herself as an artist, finding ample inspiration for her paintings from the mountains and Pacific coastline of Oregon. Her home was filled with beautiful oil paintings, and visitors through the years have marveled at her artistic talent.

After the death of Claude in 1996, Sammie moved to Abilene TX to be near her son, Sonny Guild, and found a new home at Christian Village. Shortly thereafter she met and married P. H. Hill of Abilene TX. They enjoyed several years together and were members of the University Church of Christ, where P.H. had served as an elder for many years.

Sammie loved her life in the service of God and his people. She was gracious and hospitable and enjoyed all aspects of the church’s life and fellowship. She was a wonderful mother and a blessing to her children and grandchildren. She was above all things a loving mother to her children who are extremely blessed and grateful to have had her in their lives for such a long time and who will treasure many years of precious memories.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Velma Hammon; her two husbands, Claude Guild and P.H. Hill; her only sister, Edna Lea Randall, and two sons-in-law, Stuart Love and Gary Elliott. A service will be held at Piersall Funeral Directors, January 20th at 11:00 am, with visitation at 10:00 am. She will be buried in Portland, Oregon at Mt. Scott Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Mission Work Fund of Eric Guild, care of the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ at www.pvcc.org/give, or consider making a donation in Sammie's name to the charity of your choice.