Thursday, January 8, 2026 9:52 am

Mary Ila Hill Crotts, 93, of Shelby, North Carolina, passed away on January 6, 2026, at her home. Born in Cleveland County on October 13, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Bynum Sylvanus Hill and Minnie Carolyn Akins Hill.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Talmadge "T.C." Crotts; her sisters, Pearl Bridges, Mae Peterson, Elsie Cooper, and Willie Owens; and her brothers, Austin Hill, Ervin Hill, B.S. Hill, Alvin Hill, and Frank Hill.

Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life was centered on faith and family. She was a wonderful cook who took great joy in caring for those she loved, always making sure her family was well fed and well cared for. She loved the Lord deeply and lived her life as a testament to that faith.

She is survived by her children, Horace Lee Crotts (Chiquita), Gary Cleatus Crotts (June), and Annette Crotts Hoyle (Dean). Also cherishing her memory are her grandchildren, Sarah Crotts, Melissa Knox (Daniel), Katie Crotts, Mary Beth Paz (Andrew), Allan Hoyle, and Allison Sult (Lee); and her great-grandchildren, Matthew Crotts, Caroline Crotts, Ava Paz, Magnolia Paz, and Summer Sult.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on January 9, 2026, at Flint Hill Baptist Church, with Pastor Shane Kirby officiating. The family will receive friends in the sanctuary one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made in Mary's memory to a charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be shared at cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Crotts family.