April Reneé Hilton

April Reneé Hilton, 21, dies on Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, at Piedmont Medical Center, Rock Hill.

April Reneé Hilton was born Nov. 15, 1986, in Sumter, the youngest daughter of the Rev. Clarence Jr. and Irene Hilton. She obtained her education from Sumter School District 17 schools. While at Sumter High School, April was active in the concert choir, Air Force ROTC and track and field. She graduated from the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville in 2005. While at the Governor’s School, she participated in all aspects related to the School of the Arts. April was attending Winthrop University in Rock Hill, on a music scholarship. She was a junior, dual majoring in music education and vocal performance. April was a vocalist in various ensembles in the music department and the soprano section leader for the Chamber Ensemble.

April was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Theta Theta Chapter, at Winthrop University. In this capacity, she served as philanthropic chair and a member of the 30th Reunion Committee. April was also a representative for the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

April accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into her life and attended Ebenezer Baptist Church in Manning. She worked diligently in various capacities in the S.C. Educational and Missionary Convention and the S.C. Congress of Christian Education. April played piano for churches across the state. She also served as a vocalist for the Harrison United Methodist Church in Pineville, N.C.

April was employed at Fatz Café in Rock Hill. She also used her gifts and talents for the benefit of her local, state and regional communities.

In addition to her parents, April is survived by her maternal grandparents, Deacon and Mrs. Thomas Harvin Sr. of Paxville; paternal grandmother, the Rev. Rebecca Hilton of Manning; two siblings, Karen (Napoleon) Bradford of Sumter and Brandon Hilton of Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, N.M.; a nephew, Napoleon Koren Bradford; two nieces, Taniah Michelle Hilton and Noelle Kannise Bradford; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Brother Clarence Hilton Sr.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2007, at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Manning, with Pastor George P. Windley Sr., eulogist, assisted by the Revs. O.J. Hannah, R.E. Bligen, Dr. M. Adger, Dr. B.J. Hill and Dr. K. Kinsey.

Burial followed at Mount Zero Missionary Baptist Church cemetery, Paxville.

Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.