Jennifer Lynn Kelley Hill

Jennifer Lynn Kelley Hill (nee Harrison), 47, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2020.

Jen was born on October 12, 1973, in Highland, IL, to Edwin Thomas III (Tom) and Carol Harrison. She grew up in Columbia, IL, and graduated from Columbia High School in 1991 where she was a varsity athlete and cheerleader. She attended Murray State University where she graduated early and started her career as a high school biology teacher in the Russellville (KY) Independent Schools in 1994. She went on to earn her Master of Arts in Secondary Education in 2000 and Master of Arts in Educational Leadership in 2004 - both from Western Kentucky University. She was currently working towards her EDS through Austin Peay State University.

Jen was made to be a teacher. She demonstrated a love and passion for teaching and mentoring that spanned the last 26 years. Her commitment to her students and colleagues was unparalleled. She was in her 14th school year at Northeast High School in Clarksville, TN, where she has taught Biology, AP Biology, Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, and Physics, and was the junior class sponsor. Jen was named CMCSS 9-12 Teacher of the Year in 2012.

The only thing that surpassed Jen’s passion for teaching was her love for the family and friends she left behind. Jen is survived by her husband of 14 years Jason Hill whom she loved fiercely. She was incredibly proud of her children and their accomplishments: Nicholas Kelley of Columbus, OH, who recently graduated from the University of Louisville and started his first job; Nathan Kelley of Providence, KY, who graduated as valedictorian from high school this year and started at the University of Kentucky in August; Ryan Hill of Avondale, AZ, whom she was able to see graduate from the police academy in August and start work as an Arizona State Trooper; and Alliee (Angelo) Borbon of Holloman AFB, NM, who made Jen and Jay a GiGi and PopPop when Ace Xavier-Luis was born in August 2019.

Jen is also survived by her devoted parents Tom and Carol Harrison of Clarksville, TN; sister Jessie (Rusty) Carter of Clarksville, TN; nieces Adeline and Anna “Gracie” Carter and nephew William Carter all of Clarksville, TN; Aunts Jody Harrison of Troy, IL, and Barb (Richard) Collins of Toulon, IL; and cousins Richard (Nicole) Collins of Knoxville, IL, and Teresa (Rob) Beard of Toulon, IL. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Kenneth and Carmen Hill; paternal grandparents Edwin Thomas II and Roberta Harrison; and Great Aunt Vivian Raffaelle.

Jen will be remembered for living life to its fullest. She never passed on an opportunity to have friends or family over to enjoy the pool or just sit on the patio with her beloved boxer Chipper. She described herself as an eternal optimist but also a realist. She was rarely seen without a smile on her face especially when she was having a get together, celebration, or gathering in her home. She and Jay loved to travel, try new restaurants, go on date nights, gather friends for trivia, take in a Braves or Titans game, cheer for the Preds, throw axes, or binge on their latest series. She especially loved watching the deer in her backyard, decorating her home, and finding special momentos for Jay’s man cave to remember their travels. Within the last month she was able to make many memories with Jay traveling to Jamaica, Florida, and Atlanta. Jen touched numerous lives through her work and relationships and will be missed dearly by many.


Visitation will be Saturday, November 7, 2020, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church,499 Commerce Street, Clarksville, TN. The family will be holding a Celebration of Life later in the day at their home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at jdrf.org.

McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, 931-647-3371.

Online condolences may be made to Jen's family at www.NaveFuneralHomes.com.