Lila Gray Everette Lilley, age 86, beloved daughter, Mother, wife, sister and “Granny,” went home to Jesus to join her loved ones on Dec. 6, 2017.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Bayview Community Church conducted by her nephew, Billy Smithwick, and Dennis R. Davis. Interment will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. A luncheon for family and close friends will be held at noon in the fellowship hall at the church prior to the service.

She resided with her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Mike Swanner, of Bath. She had previously lived at her childhood home place in the Everett’s Crossroads community.

She was the daughter of the late Leland Howard Everette and Myrtle Wallace Everette. She was a graduate of Bath High School with the class of 1949. On Oct. 16, 1949, she married William Holmes Lilley Sr. in Athens Chapel Church of Christ. “Miss Lila” was an excellent Mother and made holidays and special occasions even more special for all. She was a wonderful dressmaker and seamstress. Her cooking was always special, and she taught her children that art.

She later went to work in the medical field for Dr. Charles Boyette and retired from the Pediatric Executive Office of Dr. Jon Tinglestaat at Brody ECU School of Medicine. She continued to care for her husband who became ill during this time. He passed away in August 1990 after a lengthy illness. She missed him even until her death. She faced much adversity in her life with family and did so with much grace and dignity. She faced her challenges with God’s help and a strong prayer life.

She was a lifetime member of Athens Chapel Church of Christ of Bath, the Order of the Eastern Star and had attended Bayview Community Church for the past several years.

They were blessed with three children: Linda Jo Lilley Swanner and her husband, Mike, of Bath; William Holmes Lilley, Jr. of Greenville; and Lila Ruth Lilley Everett and husband Gilbert, of Bath. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Michael Jay Swanner II, Joey Lyn Swanner and wife JoAnna of Bath, Laura Holmes Everett Respess and husband Matt of Plymouth, Gilbert Rumley Everett and wife Crystal of Bath, William Thomas Everett of Bath and fiancée Ashley Lilley, William Holmes Lilley III of Newport Beach, California, and Caroline Gray Lilley of Washington; seven great-grandchildren, Abigail Elizabeth Swanner, Ava Gray Poole, Alston Thomas Poole, Allie Grace Respess, Izzy Smith and Brailey Elizabeth Everett; her sister, Martha (Marti) Buchanan of Bath and niece, Wendy Williams Webster and husband Tony of Washington; her great-nephew, Paulo Roma; and nephews, Haywood Everett, Jr., Ronnie Everett, Timothy Everett, Todd Everett and Paul Everett, all of Washington. She was predeceased by a special angel, great-granddaughter, Lilley Faith Everett and her brother, Leland Haywood Everett.

Always remembering Aunt Lila were her nieces, Thomasina Baynor and Velsa Spencer. They always remembered her with flowers, cards and goodies.

Mr. Knott and “Miss Lila” had many lifelong friends, but very best friends were G.D. and Hilma Elliott, Horace and Betty Elliott and Louis and Irene Stell, all of Bath. They shared many meals and outings together which “Miss Lila” never forgot.

A visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory, Washington.

Remembrances of flowers may be given, as “Miss Lila” loved special flowers.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Lilley family.