Hilda Rosa Gutierrez

Hilda Rosa Gutierrez, 101, Johnson City, passed away Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Pine Oaks Assisted Living, where she called home and was very happy for the past 14 years. Hilda was born into poverty in Cuba in 1915. She lost her parents at the age of 16 and suddenly found herself the sole provider for her two younger brothers. She managed to raise the boys by working in schools. In 1957, after her siblings were grown, Hilda came to the United States with a group who were visiting Milligan College as part of a Christian exchange program. After the summer ended, Hilda decided to stay and learn the language. Hilda joined Pinecrest Baptist Church and with the help of church members, she found several jobs like cleaning houses, earning 25 cents per hour. At the age of 41, Hilda entered Milligan College as a freshman. After one year at Milligan, she transferred to East Tennessee State University and earned her degree that qualified her to teach Spanish. After graduation, she moved to Milwaukee to teach and remained there for 28 years. In the late 1970?s, Hilda retired from teaching and returned to Johnson City and to Pinecrest Baptist Church. She began volunteering as a Spanish interpreter for Johnson City doctors and later at Johnson City Medical Center for nearly 20 years. For many summers, Hilda traveled to South and Central America with medical missionaries, as an interpreter, sponsored by Baptist churches to dispense medicine in Venezuela and Belize. Hilda loved helping people and wanted them to know that if you have a dream to never give up, and with hard work anything is possible. Those who were close to Hilda Gutierrez will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 PM with Rev. Mike Richards officiating.