03/04/2026
I join Camden County and all of Georgia in mourning our friend Cecily Hill, who was a trailblazer in many respects, though her own humility might make it easy to miss. She carried herself with a warmth you don’t often find in someone with so many firsts and so many accomplishments. Thank you to Speaker Jon Burns for pausing during the final week of this legislative session to recognize such a remarkable Georgian from the rostrum of the People’s House.
She was the first Republican in modern years and the first woman to serve as State Representative from Camden County, representing us from 2003 to 2011. She made that five-hour drive from the farthest corner of this state, always ensuring that being furthest away did not mean least heard.
Cecily was more concerned with loving, serving, and being a friend than with any title or accolade. I came to know the way she served best through the details mentioned by Chairwoman Lynn Smith or Dean Gerald Greene, who would have mentioned how Cecily would show up with a cake she baked just because she felt like doing something nice. That was who she was, a diplomacy rooted in her southern hospitality.
Very often, especially in my first term, I would stop by Magnolia Realty in Kingsland, and Cecily would never fail to smile and offer a warm welcome. She would not typically give me direct advice on how to handle something. She would talk it out, share some wisdom on local politics or state dynamics. In retrospect, she was too humble to assert a right answer, but caring and keen enough to help guide anyone to the right choice.
Cecily’s grace made it easy to underestimate how effective she was. She never needed to sell herself. She let the work speak. Cecily served with distinction as Vice Chair of Game, Fish, and Parks, Secretary of Banks and Banking, and Chair of the Subcommittees on Ports and on Tourism and Film.
She was the lead sponsor of House Bill 100, co-sponsored by our Speaker, which overhauled protections for the sh*****ng industry against foreign subsidized imports flooding our markets. That work laid the foundation for what we continue fighting for a decade later in this very session. She also carried House Bill 1178, which expanded access to prescription drugs for those who could not afford them, and House Bill 1290, which protected vulnerable consumer data from being sold without consent. I had the benefit of reviewing her legislative record and speaking with colleagues who served alongside her, including Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, Chairwoman Katie Dempsey, and Chairman Ron Stephens. They all detailed a woman who never grew tired of serving her home and the people of this state.
Her passing has weighed heavily on my heart this week as we have pushed through the final days and late nights of session, wrapping up close to 2 AM this morning. I keep coming back to a verse that offers equal parts comfort and drive: “If we do not do the good we know we should do, we are guilty of sin.” James 4:17. I cannot think of someone who lived that passage more vividly than Cecily Hill, who looked for every opportunity to do good, to love, and to care.
I am honored to be the caretaker of the seat she held. Camden is a better place because of Cecily Hill, and this state is better for her service.
I join the many in celebrating a life well lived today as Cecily is laid to rest. I pray for the repose of her soul and her reunion with her dear late husband, Meredith. I pray for Tripp, Jennifer, Elese, Suzanne, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She has left an example that will continue to shine on through her work and her wonderful family.
Rest well, good and faithful servant.
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