Mrs. Carrie Gale Hill, age 61, resident of Newhope, Ark., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, peacefully at her home.
Carrie was born on Jan. 28, 1965, in Huntington, Ind. She attended New Hope Freewill Baptist Church and proudly served her community as an active EMT, holding certification number 14568. Carrie dedicated many years to emergency medical service, serving as treasurer of the Arkansas EMS Foundation and as a board member of the Dierks Ambulance Service. In recognition of her commitment and leadership, she was honored as Industrial EMT of the Year in 2002 and previously served in both presidential and secretarial roles within the organization. Throughout her career, Carrie worked at Weyerhaeuser Company as an EMT and then at McFarland Pole Plant in Delight, Ark. She was certified as a CPR and First Aid instructor and took great pride in teaching others lifesaving skills. Outside of her professional life, Carrie enjoyed fishing, spending time at the beach, and riding motorcycles with friends. She deeply loved her family and grandchildren and was a faithful supporter at their sporting events. Carrie remained active in community service and was a dedicated member of the New Hope Fire Department. She married her lifelong partner in 1980 and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks and the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kelsie Ellwood Jester and Alma Fern Flemons Jester Shake, and Ted Shake; one brother, Gary Wayne Jester; one sister, Sherlene Sands; sister-in-law, Teresa Jester; and one brother-in-law, Gary Sands; and by her father and mother-in-law, Billy Joe and Edith Hill.
She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Hill of Newhope; one daughter, Carissa Hill of Nashville, Ark., one son, Dustin Hill (Seth Keller) of Sherwood, Ark.; grandchildren, Harleigh Hill, Haizleigh Hill, and Eli Hill; three brothers, Jeff Jester of Newhope, Ark., Michael Ford of Elkhart, Ind., and Chad Shake of Warren, Ind.; two sisters, Gwen Peters of Newhope and Mondi Hill (Joe) of Newhope; step-sister, Tami Shake of Detroit, Mich.; step-brother, Tim Shake of Roanoke, Ind.; sister-in-law, Brenda Dunlap (Chief) of Newhope; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hill were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in the Newhope Freewill Baptist Church with Bro. Brian Hill and Bro. Nathaniel Simms officiating. Burial followed in the Bissell Chapel Cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral home in De Queen.
The family received friends at the Newhope Freewill Baptist Church from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, all donations may be made to the Arkansas EMS Foundation, 500 Amity Rd.; Suite 5B-83, Conway, AR 72032, in honor of Carrie Hill.
You may leave a condolence online at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes.com.
