Billie Kareem

Wednesday, October 1, 1930, Jake and Eliza Hines welcomed their only child into the world. That child, a girl, became the newest resident of Bessemer, Alabama. Her name, Billie Louise Hines.

Like most southerners, Billie migrated to Cleveland, Ohio, with her parents during her childhood. Soon, Cleveland, Ohio, became home where Billie married, raised children, became educated, worked and thrived. She graduated from Central High School on June 14, 1949.

On Friday, September 5, 1952, Billie was joined in holy matrimony with Elijah Hill. From this union, four children were born. Elijah Jacques, Deborah Joy, Angela Marie and David Tyrone.

After spending some time in marital bliss, she entered nursing school at Marymount Hospital’s School of Practical Nursing earning a degree in nursing on June 24, 1958. Billie entered the workforce as a Senior Practical Nurse at Cuyahoga County Hospital, now known as MetroHealth. After having some experience under her belt, Billie furthered, not only, her education but her career by entering Cuyahoga Community College to become a Registered Nurse. She completed the program on July 9, 1985 and became an Ohio Registered Nurse in September of the same year. She loved the field of nursing and retired at Metro Health Hospital in the 1990s.

In 1962, Billie, along with her husband, became a devout Muslim following the teaching of the Honorables Elijah Muhammad and W. Deen Muhammad. She was an active and faithful supporter of Masjid Bilal and an observer of Ramadan.

As a retired wife, mother, and grandmother of 14, she was always on the move. Billie enjoyed spending time with her extended family, in Detroit, Michigan Toledo, Ohio, Alabama and other places. She also supported her grandchildren at their sporting events, programs and musical performances. She even accompanied them on their out of state AAU Basketball tournaments every summer.

Family wasn’t the only thing that kept her going. She was a regular at the Lakeshore Golden Age Center where she served as the Treasurer for 5 years. She enjoyed spending time at the center, engaging with friends, managing the funds, working the snack bar during lunch hours, and traveling on various trips. She also enjoyed: water aerobics and making special crafts and knickknacks. Some would call her a cake baker, a crocheter, or even an artist. She became a certified cake decorate shortly after her birthday in 1980. With this certification, she would make cakes for many of her grandchildren’s birthdays. Her artwork adorns the mantels, dressers and walls of those she loved the most.

Thursday, March 18, 2021, Billie Louise Kareem took her last breath at the age of 90 in the comfort of her Garfield Heights, Ohio, home. Billie Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Eliza; husband, Elijah Abdul Kareem; and two grandchildren, Toyia Nicole Hill-Griffin and Dionta D. Hill.

Billie’s legacy continues through her 4 children, Elijah “Jacques” (Gail), Deborah “Debbie” Carlisle, Angela “Angie” Hill and David Hill; 14 grandchildren, Corey Hill, LaRay “Shon” (Toshia) Carlisle, Shannon Carlisle, Elijah Hill III, LaDerrick “Ricky” Carlisle, Ashlee Hill, Brandon (Aviva) Hill, Jarrell Hill, Jaren Hill, Jeremy Hill, Carlos Hill and Jabril Crowder; and 17 great-grandchildren: Shakur, Thai, Jaden, Darion, Jace, Trevon, Khalil, Britney, Zavaire, Camren, Trinitee, Kyrie, Julian, Autumn, Layla, Amelia and Brandon Jr..