Lillie M. Lovelady, 83, Marion, passed away at 12:45 pm on Sunday, December 20, 2020. She was born in Lawrenceburg, Alabama, on Monday, September 27, 1937, to William and Mamie (Thrasher) Copeland. She was married to Marion M. Lovelady, who preceded her in death.
Although Lillie only finished the 8th grade, she never let that hold her back. She went back to Night School to take classes and eventually received her GED. Lillie worked at Emily Flinn Nursing Home for many years as a Nursing Assistant. She loved working with the elderly and was encouraged by staff to return to school to get her LPN license. She had worked at various other jobs but ended up at the Marion VA Hospital in the 1980s until 1995. At that time, she and her husband moved to Westpoint, Tennessee, and enjoyed their time there. When her husband became ill, he made her promise to return to Indiana to be with their children. She packed her bags in 1997 and never looked back. Lillie’s pursuit of learning didn’t stop. When one of her great-grandchildren was born with some difficulties, she went back to school and received a degree in Early Education. She then opened up her own daycare called Small World Childcare. She never stopped being a caregiver.
Lillie will be dearly missed by her daughters, Sarah (Marlin) Hansel of Summitville and Carolyn (Steven) Drake of Marion; son, Johnnie (Donna) Lovelady of Leavenworth, KS; sisters, Katherine (Brewer) Norris of Iron City, TN, Eleanor Jackson of Collinwood, TN, Barbara Daniels of Cypress Inn, TN, Susie (Gary) Butler of Waynesboro, TN, and Joyce Bornack of Windermere, FL; brothers, Frank (Sue) Richardson of Gray, GA, Jerry (Mildred) Richardson of Cabot, AR, and Ricky (Liz) Richardson of Collinwood, TN; 10 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; sister, Billie Jean West; brother, William Charles Copeland; three great-grandsons; and one-great-great-grandson.
The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Union Chapel Baptist Church, 6049 E. 300 S., Marion, IN.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Lillie’s life will begin at 1:00 pm. Burial will take place at Gardens of Memory in Marion.
Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.To send flowers to the family of Lillie M. Lovelady please visit our Tribute Store.