Othella Iona Holder Hilton, 85, of Evergreen Hills went home to be with the Lord on March 3, 2025, after a long illness.  Othella was born April 15, 1939, in Elkridge, WV and grew up in Richwood, WV.  Her parents were Clarence and Hester Backus Holder.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Johnny, Gerald, Roger and James Holder, and great-granddaughter Ryann Everly Fisher.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years Wilbur Eugene "Pete" Hilton, daughters Pamela (Clark) Gorrell of Ripley, Beverly (Greg) Matics of Ravenswood, and Diana (John) Adkins of Ravenswood, grandchildren Clinton Hensley, Jeremy (Tabitha) Gorrell of Ripley, Kelsie Gorrell of Atlanta, GA, Scotti (Wesley) Foltz of Morgantown, Sierra (Jacob) Fisher of Ripley, Nathaniel (Alexandra) Adkins of Staunton, VA, Jacob Adkins of Ravenswood, great-grandchildren Tucker, Gwynith, Travis and Thomas Gorrell, Nora and Kathryn Foltz, Jaxon, Dylan and Kori Fisher, and many other nieces, nephews, friends, members of her church family and many foster children.
Othella was a 1957 graduate of Richwood High School.  She held various occupations during her life and excelled at many hobbies.  She taught kindergarten before it was officially recognized in the school system, was a florist at Powers Floral, and a jewelry salesclerk at Walmart. She was a girl scout troop leader, played competitive softball in the KERA league, and was an avid gardener and talented crocheter, crafter, seamstress and quilter.  She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially her close friends Billy and Monzella Caudill, Sonny and Juanita Cossin, Marge and Junior Dorsey, and Bernard and Jodi Dean.
The greatest joy of her life was singing for the Lord.  Her love of music began with singing in the church with her father.  This love continued the rest of her life.  She performed with various music groups before forming a gospel group with her husband and children, The Hilton Family.  The Hilton Family traveled and performed gospel music across West Virginia and Ohio and recorded an album.  Othella passed on her love of music and singing to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was a member of the Jackson County Choir, sang with Sandy Richards' Choir in Parkersburg, and her church choir.  Her strong alto voice will be missed by those lucky enough to hear and sing with her.
Othella was fiercely devoted to her husband and family.  She cared for all of them, sometimes alone, in hardship, sickness, and loss, without complaint and with a strength that was inspiring.
Of all her life's accomplishments, the most important to her was her life as a Christian and her walk with her Savior.  She lived her testimony in her kindness, her generosity, her strength in hard times and her witness to her family and her community.
Funeral services are set for Saturday March 8, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Casto Funeral Home in Evans with Pastors Matt Matics and Anton Hager officiating.  Burial will follow at Cottageville at Jackson County Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be held at Casto Funeral Home on Saturday March 8, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mission West Virginia or the Alzheimer's Association.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.castofuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the care of Casto Funeral Home, Evans, WV.