Lura Belle Nichols Hill Obituary

Lura Belle Nichols Hill, 67, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, 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 a.m.  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 received 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.