Mrs. Hilbert was born Charla Ann Mitchell in Oneonta, AL on March 12, 1936, the second of two daughters of the late Iva “Mitch” Tillett. She was a member of the Class of 1954 of Jonesboro High School. A devoted wife of 24 years she was married to the late James S. “Jimmy” Hilbert until his death in 1976. Mrs. Hilbert worked outside of the home at her husband’s Dodge Dealership, J and J Auto Sales and later as a telephone operator and bookkeeper. She had a strong sense of civic duty and almost never missed voting in an election. She was the Democratic nominee in 1982 and 1986 for the office of Registrar of Deeds of Washington County and received more votes than any other Democrat on the ballot in those elections. Every opponent of Mrs. Hilbert whether it be a rival sports team, politician or illness knew that they had been in a fight. She suffered much loss but never felt sorry for herself and possessed a tenacity that would not allow her to quit.

She thanked God everyday for the most rewarding experience of her life: being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. All on the receiving end of her love will miss her terribly but take comfort in the fact that she is free from pain and worry. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Hilbert was preceded in death by her grandson, Joshua McKinney. Her surviving family members include two daughters: Debbie (Mike) Beard, Jonesborough and Sandra (Joel) McKinney, Johnson City: two sons, David (Becky) Hilbert Johnson City and Chris (Sheila Mandt) Hilbert Richmond, VA; one sister, Martha Jo Izaguirre, Edgewater, MD, two sisters in laws: Phyllis Earnest, Charlotte, NC and Gayle Rogers Dalton, GA and one brother in law: Jack Rogers, Dalton, GA; three granddaughters: Melanie (Glen) Rogers, Shannon (Andy) Nelson and Sarah McKinney; five great grandchildren, Hayden Rogers, Morgan Rogers, Drew Nelson, Emily Nelson and Logan Rogers.; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012 at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be conducted 2:00 pm Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the funeral home chapel.

A private interment service will be held at a future date.