Anita Paige Hiatt Hennis

Anita Paige Hiatt Hennis, 91, of Chapel Hill, NC, passed away on May 10, 2026. Born in Galax, Virginia, in 1935, she spent her childhood in Winston Salem, NC, where she grew up in the Moravian Church. Later, she moved to Raleigh and attended Meredith College. After graduating, Anita married Sterling Hennis in 1957. They moved back to Winston Salem, where they had two daughters, and then settled in Chapel Hill. Anita lived there for the next 67 years.

Anita loved spending time with family and friends and was involved in many activities. She taught 7th grade English and Social Studies and later started an estate sale business. She was an active member of the University United Methodist Church, where she and her husband introduced the Moravian Love Feast, which continues today. Anita was also a member of the University Women’s Club and active in P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization.

Anita welcomed people in her home, often filled with music and cheer, and made sure it was decorated to match every occasion whether it was for a Christmas holiday gathering, a PEO meeting, bridge club, or having family and friends over for a visit. Anita stayed connected to some of her Meredith College friends as well as many of the young men from the UNC Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Her husband’s involvement with the fraternity allowed her to develop and maintain close relationships with many of those young men throughout the rest of her life. Other interests included going to auctions, following politics, singing in the church choir, and, of course, watching her beloved Tarheels during basketball season…and everything was put on hold to watch the games!

Beyond her many hobbies, Anita found the greatest joy in spending time with her family. She loved going on trips with friends and family. As time went on, Anita welcomed new family members into her life, always open to those who came into her world.

Anita is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth Hennis Greer (Doug Froebe) of Carlsbad, CA, and Julie Sterling Hennis (Lisa Boado) of Chapel Hill, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren Mallory Hugh Hinton, III (Ashley Reynolds) of West End, NC, and Elizabeth Sterling Hinton of San Diego, CA. Anita is also survived by four step-grandchildren Gage Howe (Trina Bozeman) of Chapel Hill and Bo Howe of Asheville, NC., Maddy Froebe (North Dakota), and Jay Froebe of Los Angeles, CA. Anita is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Bridges and Salem Howe, and her sister-in-law, Sara Jo Phillips (Dick Phillips).

A memorial service will be held on June 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to the dedicated staff at the Pines Skilled Nursing Facility at Carolina Meadows for their unwavering commitment to Anita’s safety and well-being. Their compassionate care ensured she felt loved and protected during her 4 years there.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Sterling and Anita Hennis Chair for Promising New Secondary Teachers of English/Language Arts or Social Studies.

ONLINE:

From our website https://publicschoolfoundation.org/donate Donors can click on Annual Appeal and choose to "give in honor/memory" Anything donated on line in her memory will go to the endowment.

CHECKS:

Public School Foundation
PO BOX 877
Carrboro NC 27510
Memo: Anita Hennis