They Inspired Me: My Life Journey From Gardi to Tomahawk Mountain

The rural South shaped a boy of meager circumstances who rose to a career in a Fortune 500 company and beyond. His journey from living in a tar paper shack to living a life of service and accomplishments is well documented within this book. You will shed tears, laugh, learn, reflect, and meet some inspiring individuals. Learn how black pepper impacted his life! His early years were spent in the small community of Gardi. He traces his early life experiences with his dog Rocks, cousins, and friends within the community. His first educational experience was with a country school and recess... he was not enrolled at the time. His first grade-first day-experience led to him being bribed with candy from a beautiful blonde girl to get off of the school bus after arriving at school. In spite of his experiences, he received a diploma for completing the first day of the first grade. His dad was an uneducated blue-collar worker who ultimately found his life calling as a pastor and minister. His mother was a loving and warm person who had the entrepreneurial spirit and created a thriving multi-state business making frozen dumplings. Her dumplings earned the title of "The Cadillac of Dumplings". The family grew to a total of six with the addition of his three siblings. During the early 1970's, a tragedy hit the family with a life changing and earth-shattering catastrophe. This event was heartrending at the time but almost immediately had a silver lining. His life mission is based on the belief that we are put on this earth to serve others. His desire is that those who read this book might inspire others to look for opportunities to serve, inspire, and share their stories.

Review :
"From humble beginnings in a tar paper shack to a high-level management job at Georgia Power, Jimmy Hill has lived an extraordinary life. Now he's captured it in a riveting autobiography, which is no easy feat. I know; I've tried! I had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy when we both worked for Georgia Power. I was a newbie to the company and dumbstruck to discover Georgia Power knew what agriculture was-much less that it had a department dedicated to making it better. Jimmy led those efforts, including the technology that enabled Georgia-grown Vidalia onions to become a year-round treat. Jimmy may have written this autobiography for his family, but it's a fascinating story for anyone who loves a good tale about a South Georgia farm boy making the most of the life given to him by God. Along the way, you'll read about the cousin who convinced Jimmy sucking out the insides of raw chicken eggs was a delicacy, the bow and arrow that rivaled the Red Ryder BB gun in "A Christmas Story," two summers spent picking green beans for Green Giant, and his mama who created the Cadillac of dumplings. All in all, this is an intriguing story of a life well-lived by a man I'm honored to call my friend." Jim Barber, author of Plowed Fields "Only words live forever. What you are reading is a gift from Jimmy Hill to past, present, and future generations of his family and friends. His stories resonate for those of us who grew up shooting marbles in the same South Georgia sand. From the humble beginnings of a childhood-starting in a Gardi tar paper shack with a backyard privy-Jimmy is a testament that you can chase and achieve your dreams in America. I have always believed that there's a book in every life. Jimmy proves that with They Inspired Me. Once I started reading his memoir, it was like a bag of hot boiled peanuts. I couldn't put it down. Thank you, Jimmy. You inspired me, too." Dink NeSmith, president, Community Newspapers, Inc. "Dad, I finished reading the book. I laughed, I cried, I learned some things about you ... I didn't want to put it down. This book will be cherished now and for generations to come. I've always questioned why you keep all of those records. Now I get it! Thank you for writing your life story. You've inspired me to write mine!" Miranda Skonie (daughter) "Jimmy Hill had a huge impact on my life, both personally and professionally. I was lucky to be selected for the Agri-Leaders program, where Jimmy helped us all become better versions of ourselves. This wonderful collection of memories gives even more people the opportunity to learn from his life." April Sorrow, Vice President of Communication, Jackson EMC