McMinnville resident and Sequatchie County native Bessie Leona Hillis, 84, was born Oct. 22, 1932 and died Dec. 14 at her residence following an extended illness.Retired from Oster Corporation and a member of McMinnville First Free Will Baptist Church, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Daisy Slaughter Minton. She was married Dec. 27, 1952 to James Leslie Hillis, who preceded her in death Aug. 15, 1995. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by grandson, James David Greene; and two sisters, Wilma Keener and Myrtle Smith.She is survived by son, David L. Hillis of McMinnville; four daughters and sons-in-law, Dianne and Charles Swann of McMinnville, Anita Hillis of McMinnville, Pam Young of Altamont and Pat “Bo” and David Burnett of Altamont; nine grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; sister, Christine Layman of Cagle; several nieces and nephews; and family friend Paul Biles of Manchester.Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at High’s Chapel with Bill Eversole and James Sanders officiating.