Denise Loree Hilliard

Celebration of Life

Denise L. Hilliard

January 17, 1952 – October 12, 2026

Denise L. (Bradley) Hilliard was born on January 17, 1952, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Mable L. and Leonard C. Bradley, Sr. The eldest of four children, she grew up alongside her beloved siblings, Patrice, Leonard Jr., and Y. Renee. Denise held a special place in her family, helping shape the cherished memories, shared experiences, and enduring bonds that united them throughout their lives. On Monday, October 12, 2026, the Lord called her home to rest.

As a child, Denise was bright, fun-loving, and obedient. She enjoyed roller skating, music, dancing, and playing outside with neighborhood friends until the street lights came on. In 1963, at age eleven, Denise obeyed the gospel to become a Christian and was baptized into Christ in Bloomfield, CT. She sang a beautiful alto, especially when singing one of her favorite songs, “Paradise Valley.” She was her daddy’s “ride or die,” helping him clean the church building, singing alto for new songs he learned to teach the congregation, and washing cars on his side jobs. These shared moments became treasured expressions of their bond.

Denise attended public schools in Springfield, MA, where she earned her high school diploma. In 1982, she earned an Associate in Science degree from Springfield Technical Community College. She later continued her education at Cambridge College, earning a Bachelor’s and Master of Education degrees in preparation for her work in early childhood education.

Denise met Robert K. (“Kenny”) Washington in high school. They later married and were the parents of three beautiful children, Christine, Robert, and Leah. After their marriage ended, Denise devoted herself to raising their children, guiding them, and providing for their needs. With strength and determination, she navigated life’s setbacks while creating a home filled with love, discipline, faith, and laughter the best way she could. She was small in stature but strong in spirit, she was a stern, no-nonsense, and feisty mother. Her late father-in-law praised her for the fine job she did raising her children.

Denise’s love for children inspired her to open a daycare center in her Springfield home; caring for infants to kindergarteners. She affectionately called them her “little people,” recognizing and appreciating each child’s distinct identity and personality.

Her career included work as a preschool and kindergarten teacher, a supervisor at Child Care of Springfield, and a Family Child Care Coordinator in the greater Springfield area. She later served as Director of the Delaware Adolescent Program from 1996 to 1999. Beginning in 1999, she taught at Bank of America’s Child Development Center in Wilmington, DE. Through teaching, babysitting, and caregiving, Denise helped children feel safe, valued, and loved. Her hospitality, professionalism, and personal style left a lasting impression. The children she cared for fondly called her the “money lady,” seeing her as an example of “the good life.”

In 1995, Denise married her beloved husband and life partner, Franchot J. Hilliard. As a devoted wife, she treasured the life and home they shared, a dream fulfilled. A homemaker and homebody at heart, Denise delighted in decorating for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She especially cherished opening their home to family for Thanksgiving and extending her hospitality to relatives and friends. Denise was creative with arts and crafts and gourmet cooking. She enjoyed traveling and discovering new foods. Above all, she treasured time with family and friends, creating lasting memories through shared meals, celebrations, conversations, and everyday life.

Denise deeply valued her relationship with God and spoke of her love for Him often enough to affectionately be called the “church lady.” Together, Denise and Franchot financially supported newly established churches of Christ. Denise also served others by singing in a chorus, speaking at Ladies’ Day fellowships, teaching Sunday school, and encouraging those engaged in ministry. She liked to express her steadfast conviction in these words: “Trust and never doubt; He will surely bring you out.”

Denise lived out her faith in devoted service to the Northeast Church of Christ in Wilmington. We will remember her feisty spirit, quick wit, and the familiar sayings she inherited from “Daddy.” Her memory will remain forever in our hearts.

Denise leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband, Franchot J. Hilliard; her children, Christine D. Johnson (Christopher), Robert K. Washington, and Leah R. Ford (Reggie); her grandchildren, Robert B. Washington, Ashley L. Washington-Fields, Christopher L. Johnson II, and Cameron I. Johnson; her great-grandchildren, Ava, Aylah, and Journey; her siblings, Patrice L. Moore (Weldon), Leonard C. Bradley, Jr. (Wendy), and Y. Renee Bradley; nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, friends, her church family, and “Gizmo Ford.”