Tennielean Hill Fletcher

Tennielean Hill Fletcher, 88, of Durham, NC passed away on January 24, 2023 after a brief illness.  

Tennielean was born on October 27, 1934 to James Isaac and Pattie Sue Day Hill in Rougemont, NC.  After graduating High School, she was the first recipient of the Rougemont Ruritan Club’s College Scholarship.  She attended East Carolina University, earning a degree in Home Economics.  She then went on to work for the NC Dairy Council for a period of time.  Afterwards, she began her teaching career with the Durham County School System.  Tennie taught 7th grade science at Carrington Junior High and Chewning Junior High Schools, respectively.  

Tennie married Harold David Fletcher on July 18, 1959.  She and Harold were devoted and loving partners for 63 years.  They had two children, Harold David Fletcher II and Tamara Sue Fletcher.  She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother grandmother, aunt, and friend!

After a 25 year teaching career, Tennie retired to pursue other activities and passions.  

She called Durham Memorial Baptist Church her church home for many years.  She was in the church choir and a very active member of the Ruth Gleaner’s Sunday School Class.  

Tennie was heavily involved in her community by volunteering and fundraising.  She was a member of many organizations and clubs.  A few of those were the Durham Exchange Club, The Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher’s Sorority (Beta Chapter), a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, Duke Regional Hospital, and The Durham Rescue Mission.  At the inception of the Oak Grove Athletic Association, she was a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary which managed the concessions and fundraising for the association.

Her hobbies included ceramics, sewing, cross stitch, gardening, catering, travel, organizing family reunions and other social events.  She loved to be “in charge”, and was super good at it!  

She was an avid Duke, Atlanta Braves and Durham Bulls fan.  She loved to attend Duke basketball games and Durham Bulls Baseball games, being a season ticket holder for both.  

Tennie was fiercely protective of her family and a very loyal friend.  She most loved preparing food for her family and watching them enjoy her meals.  She knew all of her family’s favorite dishes and would be sure to prepare them for special occasions.  She made the absolute best pound cakes ever and her fried chicken was legendary.  She would be the first to bring a meal to a sick friend or a grieving family.  She truly had a servants heart.  She always made a positive impression wherever she went and NEVER met a stranger.  

The joys of her life were her grandchildren, Joanna and Patrick.  She was often heard saying “you know why they call them GRANDchildren…..because they are just GRAND”.   She was always present in their lives and made them a priority from the day they were born.  Oh, how blessed they were to have such a wonderful MiMi! 

Teenie was preceded in death by grandparents, David Tennie and Rebecca Clayton Day; parents, James Isaac and Pattie Sue Day Hill.  She is survived by her husband, Harold David Fletcher; Son, Harold David Fletcher, II (Sherri); daughter, Tamara Sue Fletcher; granddaughter, Joanna Nicole Fletcher; grandson, James Patrick Dodson; sister, Willa Hill Berry; brother, James Thomas Hill (Renee); many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Durham Memorial Baptist Church on Sunday, February 5, 2023.  Visitation is from 2:00-3:00 PM, service is at 3:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Durham Rescue Mission or the Ronald McDonald House.