Louis Edward Hite, Sr.

Louis Edward Hite, Sr. was born May 9, 1943 to the late Ernest and Louise Banks Hite in Champaign, Illinois. He was the first born to this union. Louis was educated in the Champaign Urbana School System. He confessed Christ at an early age.

Louis started playing drums at a young age and he later followed his late father’s and Uncle Les Hite footsteps and pursued music as a profession. He later relocated to Alaska and shortly after to Birmingham, AL. While in Birmingham, AL Louis, Bobby Simmons, and Al Gardner started the group “Black Haze Express,” where they traveled the world to perform their music. He later met and married Willia Dean Hampton in 1970. To this union three children were born. He was baptized by Dr. William Norwood at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL. He later joined the band “Dick’s Hat Band,” where he continued to make music and travel the world.

While out performing with Dick’s Hat Band, he met his current wife Carol at Ona’s Music Room. They married on August 6, 2009 and relocated to Springfield, TN. Louis was a comedian by heart but not by profession. You could always count on him to make you laugh.

Louis departed his life and entered a new one on January 22, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Louise Hite, Stepmother Dorothy Hite, and Brother Ernest Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memories, wife Carol Hite, three children Janese Hite Bishop, Louis Hite, Jr., Christal Hite Whitney.  Three stepchildren, Keisha Roach, Kevin Joseph Crass, and Derek Pratt. Eleven grandchildren, Jaylen Parker, Jajuan Hite (Abbey) , Amiyah Whitney, Kalia Whitney, Sadiya Hite, London Hite, Kyrie Morton, Louis Hite III (Trai), Bryson Pratt, Gabriel Crass, Breanna White, Isaiah Crass, Alex Pratt, Zoe Crass, Kye Crass, Harley Baker. Great grandchildren, Oliver Hill, Jasiah Crass, Aaliyah Schriner, and Ariana Schriner. Five siblings, Darryl Hite, Rickey Hite, Terry Hite, Karen Hite (Champaign, IL) and Marvin Hite (Peoria, IL), Two very special first cousins Jeanette Donaldson (Champaign, IL) and Donald Perry (Birmingham, AL) also a host of loving cousins, family and friends.

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