Judy Hilliard Obituary

LANCASTER, SC ~ Mrs. Judy Martin Hilliard, age 80, passed away August 14, 2025, at the MUSC- Lancaster Medical Center surrounded by family. Lovingly known to everyone as Maw Maw, she was born January 12, 1945, at Fort Jackson, SC, a daughter of the late Julian Sims Martin and the late Catherine Burley Martin. Judy was well known in the Lancaster community, working with Dr. Bill Duke at Briarwood Medical Group as his Office Manager for 27 years. Following Dr. Duke's retirement, she was a faithful caregiver to her grandchildren and continued teaching 3 year old Sunday School for more than 20 years at Second Baptist Church. In 2002, she and the late Dr. Bill Riner put their determined heads together and made record breaking time credentialing and successfully starting USCL Physical Therapy that would transition into Abbott Rehabilitation Center, which continues to care for the Lancaster community. There is no way to list every incredible accomplishment and supporting role. She was the most dependable, loving and faithful wife, mother and grandmother who was the heartbeat of our family. Maw Maw was loved by so many and known for her incredible love of her family, her keen record keeping and accurate budgeting, and sharing the message of Jesus Christ with her children, grandchildren and church family. With encouragement and support from so many, she courageously battled through her last years to see the things she wanted to see, complete every puzzle she ordered and teach every grandchild or visiting friend how to accept defeat in card games.

Maw Maw is survived by her husband of 59 years, Heyward E. Hilliard, Jr.; her daughter, Erica Abbott (Jimmy) of Lancaster, her son, Heyward E. Hilliard III (Amy) of Anderson, her loving sister Cathy Timms of Winnsboro, and four grandchildren, Catherine Abbott (Bradon), Lawton Hilliard (Elizabeth), Ashley Abbott, and Haley Hilliard. Loving nieces, Julianne Johaneman, Amy Stevenson, Allyson Gilstrap, and Martha Robinson, and nephew, Daniel Timms.

Maw Maw was preceded in death by her parents, Julian and Catherine Martin; and two sisters, Anne Robinson, and Betty Sanders.

The family is incredibly grateful for the love, care and encouragement from so many who helped so much – Brittany Miller, Diane Reece, Cathy Mahaffey, Melinda Walters, Sharon Caldwell, Freda McKnight, Cynthia McManus and Patriot HealthCare Palliative Care Team.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at the Burgess Funeral Home 1800 Charlotte Hwy, Lancaster, SC.

The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 8002 Newberry Road, Winnsboro, SC 29180.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to The Gracie Revels Foundation, LLC at Central Carolina Community Foundation. https://cccfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1135

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