Hilda Brockman Suitt

1926 - 2017

Hilda Brockman Suitt

Greenville

Hilda Brockman Suitt, 90, of Greenville, South Carolina died January 24, 2017. She was the daughter of the late Belton Bryan "B.B." Brockman and Mittie O'Dell Fowler Brockman of Spartanburg, SC.

Born in Spartanburg, SC and she was the second youngest of six children. Her brothers were Belton H. "Bunny" Brockman, Carlyle L. Brockman, and her sisters were Myrtle B. Outz, Fanny Brockman, and Margaret B. Ivey (surviving).

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 67 years, T. Howard Suitt, and her loving children Tom (Jan) Suitt and Nancy (Lee) Bennett of Greenville, SC, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Hilda attended Spartanburg High School and Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC (now Winthrop University). While at Winthrop she continued to develop her love of music, drama, and entertaining. She was the female vocalist with the Winthrop Orchestra (the "Swanks") during World War II which went to military bases in North and South Carolina and sang with the USO to help entertain the troops. After graduating from Winthrop in 1947, Hilda taught Speech, English, and Drama.

The family moved to Greenville, SC in 1962, and Hilda's love of drama eventually landed her at the Greenville Little Theater, where the teacher became the student. She worked under and with the former Director Robert Hemphill McLain. Hilda went on to perform in six Greenville Little Theater productions including Mame (performing as Vera, Mame's sidekick); Cinderella (performing as one of the wicked stepsisters); The Sound of Music (performing as one of the nun's); and in the Music Man (performing as the Mayor's wife). And although none of her parts was the lead role, Hilda always felt like the star. "I loved doing the comedic parts because comedy is what gets the message across." For her performances in Mame and The Music Man she was presented with two Greenville Little Theater Oscars. She served on the Board of the Greenville Little Theater from 1968 until 1985.

In 2000, Hilda received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award from Winthrop University for her work in education, theater, the arts, church and community service.

Hilda further supported the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Winthrop University (Hilda Brockman Suitt Endowment Scholarship), and the Richard Furman Society. She supported the Greenville County Art Museum, and was a board member of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. She was a member of the Wildwood Garden Club for 31 years and the Greenville Women's Club. She worked on the board of the Carolinian Debutante Club, The Quadrille, The Carillon, and was a charter member of The Rose Ball.

She was a breast cancer survivor.

In moving to Greenville, Hilda fell in love with the community and its people. She believed that she owed a lot to Greenville and felt that if "you did not give back to the community, you may as well move." This was never an option for her.

Hilda was a loving wife, and homemaker for her two children, and was a member of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church, the Tommy Thomason Sunday School Class, Alter Committee, and Wedding Committee. She was an avid tennis player in the ladies tennis leagues organized by tennis professional and Coach Paul Scarpa at the Greenville Country Club (and was one of the original "Scarpa Girls").

She loved her family, friends, and people and was never at a loss for the stage.

Interment will be a private service. A funeral service will follow at Buncombe Street United Methodist Church in Greenville at Noon, on Friday January the 27th in the Chapel with Rev. Justin Gilreathe and Rev. Grover Putnam officiating. Visitation will be held following the service in the Orders Parlor.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Congregational Care Ministry of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church in Greenville, SC.

The family extends its thanks to long time care givers Jeanette Johnson, Susan McLemore, Bonnie Silberman, the skilled nursing staff at The Cascades, and Piedmont Hospice.

Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mackeymortuary.com.