Barbara Lilly

Bluefield, WV- Barbara Anne Lilly, resident of Bluefield, WV, passed away April 26th at home in the embrace of her family and loved ones. She was 88 years old. Barbara is survived by her adoring husband and sweetheart, Captain Creighton David Lilly, USN(Ret.), to whom she was married for 66 years, and by her four children, David (Susan), Stuart, Carol, and Anne (Morgan); her eight grandchildren, Stephen, Elizabeth (Russ), Forest, Chelsea, Hannah, Michael, Nathan, and Logan; one great grandchild, Sonia, and by her beloved nieces and nephews, Ennis Cooper, Margaret Stuart Black, Jane Delbridge, Beverly Bivens, Joan Lee Rotramel, Lori Ray, Raymond Lilly, and Judy Morrill. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Mabel Williams of Bluefield her first grandson Ben Lilly, and by her sister Martha Jane Becker of Logan, WV, with whom she enjoyed a lifetime of mutual support and love. Barbara graduated from Beaver High School, and West Virginia University where she was a member of the debating team and the Delta Gamma sorority. She received her Masters Degree in Public Administration from The University of the Philippines. Barbara was an inspiring educator. At the high school level, she taught English, History, and Public Speaking. She was the founding director of the Social Studies program at Middletown High School in Middletown, Rhode Island. Barbara was most proud of her work as principal of St. John’s Episcopal Day School of Chula Vista, California. Under her direction, St. John’s added the middle school grades and a Montessori preschool. Barbara introduced The Catechesis of the Good Shepard to improve religious education at St. John’s and in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. In recognition of Barbara’s significant contributions to St. John’s Episcopal Day School, a courtyard was dedicated to her memory in 2001. Barbara’s lifelong love of the theater was expressed through her work as an actress and a director at the both high school and community level. Barbara actively supported Creighton’s career in the United States Navy during which they moved their home including children, pets, and her beloved Ware Ever pots and pans numerous times. She created loving homes for our family in Honolulu, HI, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Charleston, SC, Newport, RI, Washington, DC, Key West, FL, San Pedro, CA, and Sangley Point Naval Air Station in the Philippines. She was an effective leader and long time volunteer for the Navy Relief Society; a service organization that provides emotional and material support to the families of deployed sailors. During their time in San Diego, Barbara and Creighton purchased a small business, Martha Baker’s Exceptional Chocolates, and relying upon Barbara’s talent for sales and marketing, they expanded and operated successfully for a number of years. Everyone learned from this experience that Barbara was indeed The Boss, as if we had any doubt. Barbara was devoted to the Episcopal Church and its works. She and Creighton were active in Cursillo, a charismatic church renewal movement where she enjoyed great friends and spiritual fellowship. Barbara served as an accompanist for Cursillo by playing her beloved Martin 12-string guitar. In 2000, Barbara and Creighton moved back to Bluefield, WV their birthplace. Bluefield was where they met and fell in love, and where they were married in 1945 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Barbara was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, Bluefield. We will always remember Barbara’s generous and spontaneous love for us, her wit, her uncompromising intellect, and her curiosity about every aspect of the world around her. Her fierce determination to pursue a career at a time when this was not generally accepted and the high standards of behavior and service to others that she exemplified throughout her life were an inspiration to all of us. Barbara loved a good argument, a good play, a good speech, and a good sermon and of each she was an expert critic. She was a loyal friend and inspiring mentor to many including her children and grandchildren. Barbara encouraged everyone she met to follow their dreams. During her final illness, Barbara and her family were blessed by the loving kindness of a dedicated team of caregivers led by Teresa Derenge, including Deborah Wooley, Angela Brown, Amanda Shrewsbury, Sonnieya Cooper-Washington, Elizabeth Tynes, Keisha Hanley and Hospice Compassus. Barbara received heartfelt, loving, and compassionate care for which we are profoundly grateful. A memorial service in joyous celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Christ Episcopal Church, Bluefield WV at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations honoring Barbara’s life be made either to St. Johns Episcopal School, 760 1st Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910 or to Christ Episcopal Church, 200 Duhring St., Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Barbara Anne Lilly.

Barbara Lilly

January 27, 1924 - April 26, 2012