Hilda M. Gordon was born on May 8, 1929, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to the parentage of Wesley and Olivia Benoit.  After her marriage to Lionel Gordon (deceased), they relocated to Lompoc, CA in 1964 when he was assigned to Vandenberg AFB.

Hilda worked on VAFB for a number of years before starting her restaurant business, which she ran for 13 years.  This was a significant achievement for Hilda, who only had a high school education.  She named the business H.C.C. & W. to symbolize her first initial and those of her children (Hilda, Chris, Cecil, and Wanda).  The restaurant sold bar-b-que (the best in town) and offered as specials gumbo and menudo.  When she had to relocate the business to the bowling alley, she continued with her entrepreneurial spirit and included entertainment by having DJ Pony entertain adults and children.

While attending Grace Temple Baptist Church, she served on the usher board.  Her children were raised in the church, singing in the choir and serving as ushers.  Hilda loved Bingo and often played at Chumash.  The family could not go wrong giving her bingo money for birthdays and holidays.  She carried a bag full of dobbers.  She enjoyed watching golf, especially when Tiger Woods was playing.

Hilda was hard-working and family-oriented with a big heart.  Getting family together for holidays meant a lot to her, even if it meant traveling to Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Solvang.  Whenever she was asked, 'How are you doing?' her response was often "I'm still kicking, just not as high".

Hilda passed away peacefully at home in her sleep.  She was the last surviving sibling of 4 sisters and 4 brothers, most of whom resided in Louisiana and Texas.  She was preceded in death by her son, Cecil Gordon.  She leaves to cherish her memories her two daughters Chris Moody and Wanda Gordon Gray (Louis), grandsons Jordon Gordon, Darren Moody (Brandy), Derek Moody (Charon), and Genairo Higgins (Natalia), granddaughters Dahlia Moody and Taylor Maddox; Fadra Herron (raised like her daughter) and Shaundra Wyatt (granddaughter), Charles Davis Jr. (raised like her son); 5 great grandchildren ReNeasha Taylor, D'Shawn Taylor, Marley Moody, Evan Moody and Cari McCullough and a host of other relatives and friends she loved dearly.

Celebration of life Memorial Service for Hilda will be held at 11 am on September 9, 2025, at Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 205 West Chestnut Ave., Lompoc, CA.

Repast – Watson Hall of Lompoc Seventh-day Adventist Church immediately following the celebration of life.