Grace A. Lilly
Grace A. Lilly, 88, formerly of Ellwood City passed into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Wednesday evening at her daughter's home in Portersville.
Grace was born in Ellwood City on Oct. 16, 1925, to the late Emery J. Neuman and the late Elva M. Dutterer Neuman.
She graduated from Lincoln High School in the Class of 1942 and obtained her degree in missions from Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa, Ga., in 1953.
After being pen pals and then meeting in person, she married her late husband of nearly 60 years, the Rev. James R. Lilly, on Aug. 25, 1953, in Ellwood City. They traveled together to Africa as missionaries for the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM), serving the Lord in Nigeria, West Africa, for more than 23 years. The Rev. Lilly preceded her in death on May 10, 2013. After moving back to Ellwood City in 1976, Grace taught Junior Church at Park Alliance Church. She also served on the voting board and organized annual alumni dinners in the local area for Toccoa Falls College.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Ickes.
Grace is survived by her son, Dr. Timothy J. (Cheryl) Lilly of Grove City, and her daughter, Carol Grace (James) Reichert of Portersville, with who she lived. Her seven grandchildren, Samuel E., Thomas G., Sarah J., Rebecca A., Benjamin J., Hannah E. and Noah A. Lilly; her sister, Donna (Dale) Shaw of New Castle; and a niece and four nephews also survive.
LILLY — The friends of Grace A. Lilly, who passed away Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the TURNER FUNERAL HOME of Ellwood City, Sixth Street at Park Avenue.A celebration service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at the Park Alliance Church, 701 Jefferson Ave. Ellwood City, with the Rev. John McCready, pastor, officiating.Burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery, North Sewickley Township.Memorial donations, in her honor, can be made to the Park Alliance Church or to the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM USA), P.O. Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241.Grace Lilly's life verses were Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”
