Hilda Jo Maness

Hilda Jo Maness, 86, of Pittsboro passed away peacefully at her home in Fearrington Village on March 23, 2026, due to complications from Alzheimer’s. She was born on November 28, 1939 to Joseph and Marjorie Maness of Thomasville, North Carolina. After attending Thomasville High School Hilda went on to Meredith College where she majored in English. She continued her education by earning a Masters at Duke University.

After spending two years in the the Peace Corps in Ethiopia, Hilda moved to Washington DC where she worked in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Among her many assignments was writing a significant portion of Title 9, the groundbreaking 1972 federal law ensuring equal opportunity for women in academics and education. After leaving government in the mid 80’s, she taught English in various community colleges.

Hilda’s main hobby interests were travel and reading. She also provided editing input on several of her husband’s books.

Hilda is survived by Stephen Elder, her husband of 43 years, her step- daughter Heather Ehnat of Millersville Maryland, her sisters Gwen Comer and Lucy Warner of Florida, her nephew Allen Comer of Madison Wisconsin, and nieces Linda Comer of Florida and Laura Comer of Apex, North Carolina.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, March 31, at Walker’s Funeral Home, 11680 15-501 North, Chapel Hill (Cole Park Plaza), for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Hilda requested that any memorial condolences be made in the form of donations to Women for Women International, or to a charity of choice.