Mrs. Sara Jo Gailey Hill

Mrs. Sara Jo "Mama Jo" Gailey Hill, age 92, of Commerce, GA died Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Brown's Health and Rehab.

A native of Jackson County, she was born in Commerce to the late Frank T. and Ruby Langston Gailey.

She was a graduate of Commerce High School. After graduation she went to Washington, DC to work for the FBI reading fingerprints. The evils of the big city scared this little country girl so she gave up that amazing job and returned home.

It was then she met Winston Hill, fresh out of the Army. They were married and raised four children in Commerce.

As the children got older, she took a job as Office Manager at B&W Gas Company where she worked many years. Then she went to work as Office Manager at WJJC Radio Station. This is where she got the name "Mama Jo". A lot of younger people hung out at the radio station, and she treated them like she did her children, so they called her "Mama Jo". She worked at the radio station until her retirement.

After Mr. Hill passed away, she traveled all over the United States. Her goal was to visit all 50 states and Canada, and she did!!

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by her son, Gerald Winston "Bubba" Hill; and brothers, Travis Gailey, Jerry Gailey and Charles Gailey.

Mrs. Hill is survived by her daughters, Gail Hill Murray of Soperton and Sharon Swaim of Danielsville; son, Terry Joe Hill of Commerce; 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be at 2 PM, Sunday, January 11 at the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Dr. Ray Richardson and Rev. Verlin Reece officiating. A private interment will be held Monday. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 1 to 2 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, American Heart Association or Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of arrangements.