Lura Belle Nichols Hill, 67, of Fredericksburg, VA, went to be with her Lord on January 29, 2023, after a 26-year courageous battle with breast and metastatic breast cancer.

“Lucy” was the youngest of four children born to William V. “Billy” and Annie Belle Collie Nichols on June 25, 1955, in South Boston, VA. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Terry Lee Hill; one son, Matthew Watson Gordon (Kacey) of Fredericksburg, VA; one grandson, Langdon Watson Gordon; two sisters, Brenda Nichols Vassar of Charlotte Court House, VA and Linda Nichols Bailey (Gene) of Fredericksburg, VA; one brother, William V. Nichols, Jr. (Cindy) of Randolph, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lura is also survived by two stepsons, Clint Hill of Ladysmith, VA and Robert Hill (Siluna) of Falls Church, VA; two step-granddaughters, Abigail Hill and Amanda Hill; and mother and father-in-law, Beverly and Charley Hill of Nazareth, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Lealon Morris Vassar.

Raised on a cattle and tobacco farm in rural Charlotte County, Lura graduated high school from Prince Edward Academy and attained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Longwood College in Farmville, VA. Her first job after college was with Charlotte County as a researcher and writer, along with others, on the historical nonfiction, Charlotte County Rich Indeed. She also taught school in Charlotte County for six years at Patrick Henry Academy and served as headmistress.

In 1987, Lura, an avid history buff, especially that of the Civil War, began working as a travel counselor at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center. Her roles progressed in her 30-year career with the City’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism, culminating as Manager of Tourism Sales.  She was a well-respected leader in the local, state and national tourism industry, traveling extensively to promote Fredericksburg to tour operators and meeting planners.  Her tireless efforts brought significant financial impact to heritage tourism sites, hotels, restaurants and other businesses with the group tours, meetings and conventions she helped bring to the Fredericksburg region.

Lura was a dedicated wife, loving mother, and proud grandmother, always placing family first. She was an avid reader and gardener, and she loved working in the soil alongside Terry until the last years of her illness.

She was a lifelong member of New Hope United Methodist Church, 6101 Scuffletown Road, Randolph, VA 23962, where a funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Hope United Methodist Church ℅ Rosa Langford, 7594 Scuffletown Road, Randolph, VA 23962, or the Truckers Parade Against Cancer ℅ Brenda Vassar, 2915 Patrick Henry Hwy., Charlotte Court House, VA 23923. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home, 110 H. Street, Keysville, VA 23947 is serving the family. The family will receive friends at the home of Brenda Vassar on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA is in charge of arrangements.

 

Condolence Messages

  1. Terri Covington

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    Prayers go out to her family and friends. I have known her and her family all my life. She will be greatly missed.

  2. Helen Mathew

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    Terry, you are in my prayers.

  3. Diane Hill Hom

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    Dear Terry and family, we were so sorry to hear of Lura’s passing. Our love and prayers are with you at this sad time.

  4. MARK ANTHONY FEARS

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    PRAYERS

  5. George and Pamela Yates

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    Prayers to her family. May God fill your hearts with peace.

  6. Mary Masella

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    Lura bore her cross of recurring breast cancer with strength and grace.She has been lifted up to heaven where she will rest in peace for eternity. I will miss talking to her very much and my condolences Terry and family!

  7. Paula Sisco

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    I had the pleasure of working with Lura in tourism for over 20 years. She was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, with a grace that was a balm to everyone she encountered. My deepest sympathy to her family.

  8. David Sillaman

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    Dear Terry, Watson and Family, my deepest condolences to your during this time of sorrow. Laura was God’s child and she served him and everyone around her with a wonderful spirit. Focus on the good memories and rejoice that she is now in the Lord’s Kingdom and is being reunited with her family and friends that have gone before her. One day that you will be reunited with Laura.

  9. Elsie Williams

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    Terry, keeping you and all the family in my prayers.

  10. Jennifer Smith-Palmer

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    I am SO sorry to read about Lura’s passing. I had her at Patrick Henry, she was an awesome teacher and head mistress. She was a very sweet person and will definitely be missed. May God wrap HIS loving, comforting, and healing arms around you all.

  11. Robin Mamunes

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    Lura was always a joy to work with. We’ve known each other for over 20 years in the tourism industry. We always picked up wherever we left off and she always had a bright outlook no matter what she was going thru. Will miss her greatly.

  12. Mora da Silva

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    What a beautiful lady with so many achievements. Sorry for your loss.

  13. James "Jay" G. Harrison III

    30 January 2023 1 year ago

    I was blessed to meet and work with Lura through the City of Fredericksburg Department of Tourism. She was a bright light for Fredericksburg through her dedicated work on the local, state and national tourism industry scenes. A truly thoughtful and caring individual, she will be missed by so many. Sending my condolences to her family on her passing. May the cherished memories of Lura comfort and sustain all those who knew her and grieve today. She is now renewed and with the Lord.

  14. Melissa Spaulding

    31 January 2023 1 year ago

    Prayers to Lura’s Family and Friends during this time for comfort and peace. Lura and I worked together in the Hospitality Industry as I worked in Hotels and we always met up and would sit together at Dinners or meetings just to catch up. Lura was a wonderful person and will be truly missed. God Bless

  15. Rhonda Stockton Rowland

    31 January 2023 1 year ago

    Lura was such a sweet person! She and I were classmate s at Prince Edward Academy. All of you have my deepest sympathy.

  16. M.C. Morris

    31 January 2023 1 year ago

    Lura was a professional colleague and friend, and I didn’t know her DEEPLY – but I think I did know her WELL. She was easy to know because she had a strength of character – that was consistent. She had the heart of a teacher and a kind and generous spirit. She gave to her family, her friends, and her colleagues. I know heaven is rejoicing at her arrival as her devotion to her faith and family was the legacy that will endure for generations. Lura was filled with grace and I am sure the warm light of heaven will shine on her beautiful face for all eternity. Condolences to you and God’s Peace be with you and gently embrace you on the difficult days.

  17. Mary Beth Roberts

    31 January 2023 1 year ago

    My heart and prayers go out to Lura’s family; what a privilege it was to know her, one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.. she had so many friends in the community and will be so surely missed, as well as in in the tourism industry.. RIP Lura

  18. Theresa Henderson

    31 January 2023 1 year ago

    Condolences to Shannon Feinman, Meredith Dawson and the entire family. I will be thinking of your family and praying for comfort.

  19. Sophia Harler

    01 February 2023 1 year ago

    I met Lura while on my first trade show in Charlotte NC many -many years ago. She took me under her wing that weekend. I will never forget her kindness. RIP Lura! God bless to her family and friends.

  20. Carol “Torch” Torricelli

    03 February 2023 1 year ago

    Singing “Tour-a-Lura-Lura, Tour-a-Lura Hill” …would Make us giggle as we toured the USA marketing our great state of VA; I cherished our friendship for over 25 or so years and will always remember her as an angel comforted by her laugh and kindness.Torch

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