In Loving Memory of Mrs. Willie Lee Screven, affectionately known to her family and friends as "Billie”.

Billie Screven, 80, of Harrisburg (Susquehanna Township), PA, a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, educator and faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, entered into God's eternal care on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at her home. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Billie was the daughter of the late Lannie Mae “Sammie” Hill and Robert Lee Hill.

Billie and her older sister, Barbara Hill-Cook, were raised in a nurturing and loving environment by both their mother and grandmother, Mary Elizabeth “Hun” Jones. Billie was an intelligent and affable child who was full of wit. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. She was gregarious and adventurous as she and her older sister would often enter the school talent shows together to show off their singing and dancing skills. Mom also was athletic as she competed on her school’s track teams, specifically on the sprint team, because she was inspired by Wilma Rudolph.

Billie accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and officially joined the Bethesda Church of God In Christ (COGIC) in Newark, New Jersey in 1962. This pivotal decision to become a member of Bethesda not only deepened her faith but also led to a significant personal connection. Approximately, four years later, Billie and David decided to get married. This joyous occasion occurred on May 15, 1966. Their relationship blossomed within the supportive community of the Bethesda church and from their union, two children were born—Lisa Cheryl and David Eric.

Ten years into their marriage, the Lord had called then “Elder David” to pastor the Emanuel Church of God In Christ in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Consequently, David, along with his wife Billie and their two young children, relocated from Hillside, New Jersey to Harrisburg in 1976. After relocating to Harrisburg, Billie made the conscious and deliberate decision to be a “stay-at-home” mother in order to nurture her children, Lisa and David Eric, during their formative years.

Billie was a nurturing and supportive mother. She loved the role of being a Mom and loved spending quality time with her children. She prepared home-cooked meals for her family every night and helped her children with their homework. She rode bikes with them and took them on walks and to the library to feed their curiosity. She was instrumental in establishing family “game time” where we played various board games such as Monopoly, Sorry, Scrabble and Boggle. Billie also introduced her children to old movies from Hollywood’s Golden Age and they learned about movie stars like Betty Davis, Joan Crawford, Olivia de Haviland, Joan Fontaine, Katherine Hepburn, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Tyrone Powers, Cary Grant, Montgomery Clift, and Rock Hudson etc.

Because of her profound love of music, Billie often took her children to the record store where she would purchase the latest Gospel album and nurtured their love for what is now considered old-school Gospel music.

Billie emphasized the importance of academic achievement and gave her children the belief that they could accomplish anything they set their minds to. Billie also loved to debate to the point where there were often lively and animated discussions at the kitchen table on a host of topics. Billie made you think on your feet and learn how to craft and develop an argument.

But, more importantly, Billie believed in having her children participate in consecrations where they would pray and study and meditate on the Word of God. It was her goal and desire that her children would give their lives to the Lord. As such, Billie instilled within her children the principles of faith and spirituality, the necessity, power and efficacy of prayer, and love for one another and familial unity.

Since Billie was a young child, she highly respected and admired Mary McLeod Bethune. Inspired by Ms. Bethune’s life story, Billie determined that she too would become a teacher and dedicate her life to assisting vulnerable populations and those that were considered or characterized as “underprivileged” by society. Consequently, Billie became an advocate— especially for children, young girls and women. When her children got a little older, Billie then decided to work with the organization Girls Inc. because the organization’s core value of encouraging young girls and teens to be "Strong, Smart, and Bold" aligned with her worldview.

As mentioned above, Billie was always determined to become a teacher but deferred this dream to be a “stay-at-home” mother. However, when both of her children had finally graduated from the Susquehanna Township School District, Billie decided to take steps to realize her dream of becoming a teacher. Consequently, in 1989, at the age of 44, Billie enrolled in college and became a non-traditional student at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) majoring in elementary education with a minor in music. In fact, both she and her son, David Eric, attended HACC at the same time.

After completing her two years at HACC, Billie then transferred to Millersville University. She traveled back and forth daily on Interstate Highway 283 to either attend her classes or student teach. Remember, at this time, Billie was a non-traditional student who had to constantly balance the demands of academic life with her responsibilities at home as well as being a “First Lady” of a thriving and active local church. Yet, she approached this challenge with the same fervor and rugged determination she had faced every other challenge she had encountered in her life.

In December 1993, Billie finally achieved a remarkable milestone. She graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education (PreK-4). This monumental achievement was not merely a personal victory; it symbolized the culmination of years of hard work and determination. Her journey from devoted mother to dedicated educator exemplifies the power of perseverance and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams, regardless of the challenges that may arise. Her graduation day was a moment of immense pride, not only for herself but also for her family, who had supported her throughout this transformative journey.

Shortly after graduation, Billie was employed as a long-term substitute teacher. Eventually, she was hired by the Harrisburg School District as a kindergarten/elementary teacher. This accomplishment opened the door to a fulfilling career that allowed Billie to channel her passion for learning into teaching future generations. The knowledge and skills she had acquired raising her now grown children along with her formal studies equipped her to make a meaningful contribution to the field of education.

When Billie joined the Harrisburg School District, she embarked on a remarkable twelve year journey in education that would leave an indelible mark on each of her student’s lives. Billie’s nurturing demeanor was a cornerstone of her teaching philosophy, allowing her to create a safe and encouraging space for her students. She understood that education extends beyond academic achievement; it encompasses emotional and social development as well. By instilling values of curiosity, resilience, and respect, she equipped her students with essential life skills that would serve them well beyond their school years. Her influence was evident in the way her students approached challenges, often recalling her words of encouragement as they navigated their paths in life.

Billie retired from the Harrisburg School District in 2006. Her 12-year teaching career left behind a legacy that continues to inspire both former students and fellow educators. The love for learning that she instilled in her classroom has echoed through the years, shaping the aspirations of countless individuals who had the privilege of being taught by her. As her students move forward in their lives, they carry with them the lessons learned and the inspiration gained from her remarkable tenure, ensuring that her impact will be felt for generations to come.

Billie’s interests were as varied as they were abundant with her latest interest involving the mental challenge of solving crossword puzzles and memory games. Billie was an avid reader and believed in having numerous books on her various interests. With the advent of the Internet, besides reading these books, she would look at YouTube videos so she could become thoroughly familiar with the topic or subject. Billie was also fashionable and was always noted by her work colleagues or those she encountered at the grocery store, restaurants, doctor’s offices or any other place she frequented or visited for her sharp outfits.

Billie was a devoted prayer warrior and intercessor. Inspired by Mother Elizabeth Dabney’s life and her father-in-law’s teachings, Billie had her own daily personal prayer time of 3AM After these early morning prayer sessions, she then would have a joint morning prayer with her husband where she would call out the individual names of all her family members and the church membership too (and anyone else the Lord placed on her heart).

During her fifty-eight years of marriage to David, Billie was the true definition of a “helpmeet.” Because of her devotion to her husband’s ministry, Bishop and Mother Screven have ministered as a “team” at Emanuel church for 49 years. Billie’s love and respect for her husband, along with their shared commitment to and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has strengthened their partnership. They have encountered numerous and significant challenges and obstacles over the years but were able to overcome them because their relationship was based on a foundation of love for each other and, more importantly, unwavering devotion to God.

Billie truly has assisted her husband, David, in dealing with the joys and challenges of being a pastor and Bishop and has been a great asset to his ministry at the Emanuel COGIC. Billie started weekly Friday “All-Night” Prayer sessions at Emanuel to teach others the value of prayer and commitment to faith within the Emanuel Church community. Additionally, Billie also spearheaded various fundraising campaigns for the church. Also, because of her love for children and youth, Billie was instrumental in implementing and then continuing to oversee Emanuel’s annual Vacation Bible School and starting the Family Enrichment Ministry. Billie had a special love for all the generations of children that grew up in Emanuel.

Billie’s deep love for the Word of God was evident in her role as a Sunday School teacher and as a licensed Evangelist-Missionary on the Missionary’s Circle of Emanuel where she shared the teachings of the Bible with both power and conviction, inspiring those around her to deepen their spiritual journeys. Billie was appointed to the Mothers' Board of Emanuel in 1999. Subsequently, in 2008, Mother Screven took on the significant role of the Director of the Women’s Department at Emanuel, where she has continued to foster a nurturing environment for women to grow in their faith.

Billie also had a lifelong love for music. As such, beyond the administrative responsibilities mentioned above, she was the leader of the Crusade Choir and the Inspirational Choir, which were instrumental in bringing joy and inspiration to worship through song.

Billie was frank, direct, unafraid to express her opinions and uncompromising when it came to Kingdom business. She did not let “anyone or anything” deter or stop her when it came to the work of the Lord because she was “sold out” to God and wholeheartedly believed that one should always give their best efforts and nothing less when it came to Kingdom work. Billie was definitely a soldier on the battlefield for the Lord and was truly concerned about souls.

In 2015, Billie was chosen by the national Church of God In Christ as one of its most 150 influential women in COGIC and she was featured in a special edition of the Whole Truth magazine published by the COGIC Publishing House.

Billie’s leadership is characterized by a genuine passion for empowering others, encouraging them to embrace their spiritual gifts and contribute to the church community. Above all, “Mother Screven” exemplified the qualities of a Proverbs 31 virtuous woman, dedicating her heart, mind, body, and soul to the service of the Lord. Her insight, godly wisdom and unwavering faith and commitment to her church family not only strengthened the bonds within the congregation but also served as a testament to her character and devotion.

Billie loved her Emanuel Church family. Through her prayers, leadership, genuine empathy and concern for others, humor, worship and musical talents, she has left a lasting impact on the lives of all she has encountered. Billie has led with strength, humility, excellence, and by example, as her sole intent was to guide others toward a deeper relationship with God! Billie always saw her most important role as being a Servant of God and her ultimate goal was to hear God say to her, “Well Done My Good & Faithful Servant”.

In addition to her parents, Robert Lee Hill and Lannie Mae Hill, Mom was preceded in death by her brother, James Allen; her first-born son, “baby Screven”; her godchildren, Shulena Weldon, Jerome Curtis Marshall and Anthony Kiser II.

Billie leaves to celebrate and cherish her life and memories her loving and devoted husband of 58 years, Bishop David M. Screven; her children, Lisa Cheryl Screven-Robbins (Clarence) and David Eric, all of Harrisburg, PA; her sister, Barbara Hill-Cook; her brother, Daryl Moore, all of Newark, New Jersey; her son’s best friend and “bonus” son, Quinton Jamal Wilkerson (Karen); her “grandchildren”, Kearsten Wingfield, Ian Wingfield, Maura Ali Wingfield, Jhonathan Wingfield, Asia Wingfield and Mal’kolm Wingfield, all of Harrisburg, PA; her brothers-in-law, Allen Screven of Newark, New Jersey and Arnaz Escribano Guzman of Waycross, Georgia; her sisters-in law, Roberta Screven of Dayton, Ohio and Angela “Angie” Screven of Philadelphia, PA; her godchildren, Vincent Miller (Erica) of Linden, New Jersey, Ebone Burns of Harrisburg, PA and Kezia Brown of High Point, North Carolina; her close “Bethesda” friends, Blanche Miller of Ellenwood, Georgia, Beverly Walker-Wilson of Blairtown, New Jersey, Margaret Garrett of Iselin, New Jersey and Carol Walker of Hillsborough, New Jersey; many cousins, nephews, nieces, a multitude of other friends, the membership of the Emanuel COGIC, Harrisburg, PA and the entire constituency of the Pennsylvania Eastern Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction COGIC.

Celebration of Life services will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM at her church, the Emanuel Church of God In Christ, 601 N. 16th Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17103, with viewing and visitation from 5 to 7 PM and also on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Christian Life Assembly, 2645 Lisburn Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011, with viewing and visitation held from 9 to 10:00 AM. Interment will be held at the Rolling Green Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund of the Emanuel Church of God In Christ.