Lon Paul Fillers

Paul leaves behind by his wife, Margaret Smith of Marble, North Carolina; brother Charles Fillers; his children: Robert Paul (Alice Mary), Timothy Obadiah, Charlene Dunn and grandsons: Richard Patrick Dunn and Nathan Paul Fillers.

Paul adored life with Margaret and the years they spent together. Paul and Margaret could be caught sitting on their porches watching the sun rise and set looking at the beautiful North Carolina mountains while sipping coffee and having breakfast. Paul loved Margaret and all the children so very much: Rita Newton (late Judge Ronald), Kevin Ray (Donna Gilliam), Mark Ray, Sherry Perez (Richard), Penny Marrow (Robby), Eva Garland (Dewayne), Sharon Dockery (William), Kim Hill (Bruce), Howard Rogers (Karen), David Rogers (Missy), along with the many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Paul also loved Margaret’s sister and brother-in-law, Annie and Leroy Taylor and the evenings they enjoyed playing boards games together. There are many family and friends who will miss Paul dearly: Emma Wood; Billy and Peggy Phillips, just to name a few. Paul especially loved the times he spent with the family during holiday gatherings having dinner, taking pictures and enjoying each other’s company. Paul was introduced to Margaret by her best friends Billy and Peggy Phillips with whom they spent much time with enjoying dinners, fishing and socializing. Paul always said he was blessed to have met Margaret and be part of her large Christian family and friends. Paul especially enjoyed that they referred to him as “Papaw”.

Paul served the Lord his entire lifetime. He was a retired minister, pastoring churches throughout the states of Indiana and Georgia serving the Church of God. He supported the Church of God Children’s Home in Sevierville, TN and Men and Women of Action working on many projects throughout the United States. He has many church members and friends throughout the United Stated who will miss him dearly.

During Paul’s life of ministry he conducted many eulogies and officiated many weddings for church members and their loved ones. Paul always said the “weddings were a whole lot more fun”. He was proud and honored to officiate his last and most recent marriage of Margaret’s daughter and son-in law, Kim and Bruce Hill.

Paul grew up in Greeneville, Tennessee and enjoyed living for many years with special longtime friends H R and Zella Malone who preceded Paul in death. Paul loved their children David (Linda) and Mary Ann Rader (Gerald) just as his own family. Paul enjoyed spending time with his brother and sister-in-law, Guy and Margaret, and their children, Renda Scott (Tom) and Arvin Fillers (Sheila) also of Greenville.

In 1952 Paul married Martha Sharp of Linton, Indiana. They were married until she preceded him in death in 2012. Paul is also preceded in death by his afore mentioned parents, son-in-law Richard D Dunn, brothers: John Revis Fillers, Bourbondy Ford Fillers, and Mitchell Fillers; Guy Fillers (Margaret) and sister Elizabeth Fillers.

Paul and Martha lived for many years in Indiana. Paul and Martha met on a blind date in Cincinnati, Ohio and were married seven weeks later. Paul loved taking Martha to her hometown of Linton for her yearly family reunions. Paul enjoyed visiting with all of Martha’s family and friends: Carolyn Stant (Leon), Doris Holwager and Ellen Shull (Dennis), Robert and Donetta Richardson and Rozella Rehmel, just to name a few.

After moving to Gainesville, Georgia Paul was active in Price Road Community Church and Northside Church and where he met best friend Comer Ledford (Hazel). Paul so enjoyed the many times they sat and talked together after church services enjoying lunch and a frosty. They served God together working as missionaries with Men & Women of Action participating in trips to rebuild and restore churches and homes devastated after disasters.

Paul loved his children and grandsons very much and stayed close to them throughout the years. Paul and his oldest son, Rob were always on the phone together whenever the Braves were playing a game. They would talk during the games discussing all the play by plays. Paul loved to visit Rob and Alice at their home in Illinois and enjoyed sitting and talking around their fire pit together. Paul visited his daughter, Charlene, often and she loved making apple pies for him. He said Charlene took after her Mother, being bossy and knowing what to do when needed and just doing it. Paul adored his youngest son, Obe, and always wanted to keep tabs on him and see what he was up to. Obe lived with Paul and Martha most of his life always watching after them. Paul and Obe could always be found working on a project together whether it was fixing a car, building a shed, or working on the house. They had a special relationship all their own and spoke the same language.

Paul’s grandsons, Richard and Nathan were the delight of life. Paul loved to shoot pool with Richard and they always joked with each other saying “I’m just gonna let you win tonight!”. Paul loved to attend Nathan’s baseball games and would shout out “hit a home run Nate!”. Paul was happiest after he had received a call from either Richard or Nathan “just to chat”. He will forever be their guardian angel.

Paul loved longtime family friend Timothy Kelley just as if he were his own son and enjoyed spending time with him fishing and talking. Mr. Kelley loved hearing Paul tell stories of his life and they enjoyed many long conversations together. Paul always said he could call Mr. Kelley whenever he was working on a project and needed help and “Mr. Kelley always had the answer”.

Paul was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend. He loved life and lived it to the fullest each and every day. He will be sadly missed by all his family, friends, loved ones and four-legged family members Oreo, Java and George, his constant companion. We all surely will miss hearing Paul’s sermons, prayers and robust singing voice. We know Paul will spend eternity seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Prayers up to a very special servant of Christ!

A celebration service of Paul’s life was held on December 30, 2020 at Beaver Creek Freewill Baptist Church in Andrews, North Carolina. An additional service will be held near the date of March 29, 2021 in Gainesville, Georgia.

The family has requested for those that wish, memorial contributions be made to Beaver Creek Freewill Baptist Church 853 Beaver Creek Road Andrews NC 28901 or Men of Women of Action 1510 Stuart Rd NE #209, Cleveland, TN 37312.

Arrangements entrusted to Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services Franklin -Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN, 37404, 423-265-4414. Please visit our website to share your memories: www.advantagefranklin-strickland.com