Maxwell Lawrence Hill, Jr., 70, of St. Albans, WV, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 18, 2019. The son of the late Jimmie Hill and Christine McLaughlin, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Janie Meadows.
Max was a 1967 graduate of Scott High School and a graduate of Fairmont State University. Called to the ministry, he earned a Masters degree and Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.
His work for the Lord began in 1981 at Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Zebulon, NC, where he first served as pastor. Then he went to First Baptist Church of Jonesville, NC, where he also served as volunteer chaplain for the athletic teams at Starmount High School in Boonville, NC. Max returned to West Virginia in 2001 where he became pastor at Clarksburg Baptist Church in Clarksburg, WV.
Later, he served as area minister and associate executive director for the West Virginia Baptist Convention. He was also previously interim pastor of Crab Orchard Baptist Church and currently served as interim pastor of First Baptist Church of Danville.
In 2009, Max’s work with the West Virginia Baptist Convention resulted in his relocating in St. Albans. He is a member of Oakwood Baptist Church in Charleston.
Max’s call to serve led him to take on mission work in Cuba. He began traveling to the island country in 1991 and returned every year after. His plan was to return in December 2019. This work was dear to his heart and Max loved the many people he met in Cuba who welcomed him through Christ.
Max was pastor emeritus of the El Jordan Baptist Church in Havana, Cuba.
Max was a family man, loved his wife and daughter, was a fan of the Cincinnati Reds and enjoyed many Friday nights on the sidelines at Starmount football games as well as coaching first base for the baseball team.
He is survived by his wife of almost 47 years, Debbie Bell Hill; daughter, Melinda (Brian) Greathouse of Dunbar; sisters, Barbara (Jack) Bays of Elkview and Joyce (Bill) Saul of Morrisvale.
Visitation will be Friday, October 25, from 6-8 p.m. at Oakwood Baptist Church, 855 Oakwood Road, Charleston, WV, and 2 hours prior to the service on Saturday.
Service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 26, at the church with Pastors David Carrico, David Hulme, and David Moutz officiating. Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey, WV.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for Max’s work in Cuba, Max Hill Ministries, 1918 Harrison Avenue, St. Albans, WV 25177