June 07, 1934 — June 22, 2026
Bernita Delaine Golden Hill, 92, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Monday, June 22, 2026, at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village. She was born on June 7, 1934, to Walter Bryan Golden and Opal Louise Pettibon Golden at the family farm near Garland, Kansas. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1951 and Pittsburg State University in 1955 and later returned to Pittsburg State to earn a Master’s Degree in Journalism. While attending Pittsburg State, Bernita met and married Robert Lee “Bob” Hill on August 1, 1953.
Growing up in rural Bourbon County, Bernita was active in 4-H and showed registered Herefords at the county fair and the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City.
Although involved in many school activities, journalism was her passion. She was the editor of the Greyhound-Tiger News in high school and the Pitt State Collegio in college. Bernita later was the faculty advisor for the Fort Scott Community College newspaper, and she was especially proud when the Greyhound Express won consecutive All-American Ratings. After retiring she began writing a column, “The Farmer’s Daughter”, for the Fort Scott Tribune and wrote a quilting history column for The Country Register. An enthusiastic genealogist, she compiled a book detailing the history of the Golden, Bryan and Gentry families. She was a member of the Daughter of the Colonists and the Daughters of the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
Bernita was a lifelong educator teaching for 38 years at area high schools and the Fort Scott Community College. After retiring in 1994 she continued in education as the first female Trustee of the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees serving four terms. She also shared her love of quilting with students at the elementary schools and gave programs to many other organizations in the area.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon, Elder and as a member of the Presbyterian Women and Hack Memorial Committee. She was a member Pioneer Kiwanis, the Family Community Education organization, Daughters of the Nile, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and was member of the fundraising committee for the Unsung Heroes Park located in downtown Fort Scott. She enjoyed quilting, knitting, reading, and spending time with her family and many friends.
Survivors include her two sons: Robb and his wife Carolyn of West Des Moines, IA and John and his wife Carol of Fort Scott; three grandchildren, Lauren Hill, Denver, CO, Bryan Hill and his wife Theresa of West Des Moines, IA, and Meredith Hill and her friend John Leaske, Las Vegas, NV; and one great granddaughter Wren Hill. Also surviving are her nephews Greg Crutcher and James Hart; and great nephews Aaron Hart, Justin Hart and Tyler Hart and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Audrey Crutcher, brother-in-law James “Tex” Crutcher, niece Kim Crutcher Hart and infant sister Norma Golden.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 30th at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in the US National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:30-6:30 pm on Monday, June 29th at Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to either the Hill Family Scholarship Fund at Fort Scott Community College, the Good Samaritan Fund at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village or the Fort Scott Presbyterian Church in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
