Extracted from The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR)
Mary Lou Byrd
MARY LOU BYRD LILLY, 88, of Little Rock, passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2005 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 3, 1917, in Millville, Ark., to Dr. E.J. and Virgie Byrd.
She attended Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and graduated from Draughons School of Business. She was an executive secretary for many years and a wonderful homemaker. She enjoyed traveling overseas with her husband.
She was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church in Little Rock, where she was Sunshine Chairman of her Sunday school class. Earlier, as a member of First Presbyterian Church of Gadsden, Ala., she taught Sunday school and was active with the youth group. She was very involved in her children's school, and was president of the PTA. She was a member of the Little Rock Musical Coterie, the Department Club, and the Salvation Army Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Dr. E.J. Byrd Jr. and Jimmy Justice; her sisters, Virginia Whiteside, Clyde Byrd, and Clarice McElvaney.
Survivors include her loving husband of 64 years, James C. Lilly Sr.; her son, James C. Lilly Jr., and his wife, Sharon, of Little Rock; her daughters, Mary Lou Chaney and her husband, John, of Little Rock, Becky Seay and her husband, Buddy, of Birmingham, Ala.; her sister, Josephine Roberson of Camden, Arkansas; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family extends a special thank you to Sally and Elizabeth and the staff of Arkansas Hospice for their wonderful loving care.
Family visitation will be at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth, 5800 West 12 th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, at 1 p.m. Sunday, January 30, 2005, preceding the funeral service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. A private burial will be held on Monday, January 31, 2005, at Roselawn Cemetery in Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the building fund at Calvary Baptist Church, 1901 North Pierce St., Little Rock, Arkansas 72207, or Arkansas Hospice, 5600 West 12 th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204.
To sign our online guest book visit: www.griffinleggett.com.
Friday, January 28, 2005