Adeline Hill Ostwalt

Adeline Hill Ostwalt lived a life of love and service from May 23, 1918 until September 1, 2011. She was the daughter of William Henderson and Mary Fogartie Hill, born in Brookhaven MS. From 1957 until his death in 1980 she was married to Jay H. Ostwalt, a professor at Davidson College. Since her marriage she lived in Davidson NC, most recently at The Pines at Davidson. She was a member of the Davidson College Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon, an Elder, and in many leadership roles. Adelines family includes five older sisters, Beth McGee, Ruth Mansell, Margaret Edwards, Marion Weersing, and Rachel Owens, one younger sister Gene McDaniel, and a younger brother Bill Hill. Ruth, Marion, and Rachel are still living, along with a host of nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren. Adeline was an experienced educator both in the Presbyterian Church and in public education. She received degrees from Belhaven College and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and did post-graduate study at Davidson College, UNC-Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University, and UNC-Charlotte. She served from 1949 until 1960 as Director of Childrens Work at the Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. She wrote church school curriculum for children as part of the Covenant Life Curriculum of the Presbyterian Church US, 1961-65, including a course entitled The Church is for All People. From 1965 until her retirement in 1983, Adeline was an elementary teacher and principal in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Ada Jenkins Elementary in Davidson, 1965-66; Davidson Child Development Center, 1966-72; Villa Heights Elementary, Charlotte, 1972-80; Statesville Road Elementary, Charlotte, 1980-83. Adeline made a significant contribution to public education in Mecklenburg County. She was a key leader in the establishment of kindergartens in the public schools, and she was a positive leader in the desegregation of public schools, modeling that all children are equal and valued in the eyes of God. Adeline received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award from Davidson College in 1992, recognizing her nobility of character and her dedication to service as an example to others. She was named Alumnus of the Year by Belhaven College in 1971, received an Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women in 2002, and was recognized as Outstanding Older Adult by the Davidson College Presbyterian Church and Charlotte Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2009. Friends and family will gather at the Davidson College Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. for a service of worship celebrating Adelines life. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Davidson College Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 337, Davidson NC 28036. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family. www.raymerfh.com