Shirley Mae (Lawson) Dill

Shirley Mae Lawson Dill, 95, of Evansville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Linda E. White Hospice Center while members of her family held vigil for her both by her bedside and through prayer from afar. She was born August 19, 1929, in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Helen and Maurice Lawson.

“Granny Dill” was a force of nature full of joy, care, humor, and more than one demand. She impacted not only her immediate family but all the honorary children and grandchildren she welcomed into her loving orbit and called kin. She knew no stranger, spoke her mind, had a generous spirit, and was a fierce advocate for those who were overlooked or under appreciated. Her values and memory will live on forever, in each of those whose lives she touched.

Shirley graduated from State High School in Terre Haute at the age of 17 with the intent of entering nursing school. However, life had other plans when she met her loving husband, Charles Richard Dill (Dick). Shirley and her husband, Dick were married September 19, 1947, in Terre Haute, IN after meeting on a blind date. We are comforted to know she is reunited with the love of her life.

A mother couldn't have been closer to her children. Scottie and SuzeAnn were the pride of Shirley's life. That pride swelled to include her two grandchildren, Andrew and Dei and her great grandchild, Selah. If you spent more than a few moments speaking with her, whether on the phone or in a line at a grocery store, then you know that bragging on each of them was her favorite pastime.

Shirley was a devoted member of St. James West United Methodist Church for 76 years. On Sunday, you could hear her in the choir, soprano vibrato soaring from the rafters. She was one of the last living members of the Alpha Domus Sunday School class where she found many of her lifelong friends. During and after Covid, when she was unable to attend church anymore, she established a letter writing ministry to encourage and comfort folks who were going through a hard time. She sustained this ministry until the day she died and there is a stack of cards waiting to be mailed as we speak.

Faith and family were the foundation of Shirley's life. She trusted God was at work in her life and showed that through her love of others. She talked to the Lord daily and always had her bible and devotional beside her, up till the end.

Shirley was an avid speed reader, loved doing crosswords, and enjoyed traveling with her husband and her Sunday school class to many parts of the world. She worked as an office manager for the Physical Plant at the University of Southern Indiana for many years.

Granny Dill lived to “give orders and spend money”. Her generous spirit led her to see money as just another thing she could give to people and organizations that she cared for. She often joked and told complete strangers who were kind to her that she would “put them in the will” and after a long pause would say, “but there is nothing in it.”

She was a charismatic spirit who ended every meal by declaring loudly, “I’m miserable”. She left us several other “granny-isms” like “good gravy in a bucket, gadzooks, dear hearts, or simply, this too shall pass.”

She was a loving wife, mother, granny, gege, aunt, and neighbor. She will be deeply missed and those who love her, near and far, will be celebrating her for the rest of our lives. There was no one like her.

Shirley is survived by daughter, SuzeAnn Goedicke (Erwin); son, Scott Dill (Donna); grandchild, Dei Dill (Blyth Barnow); grandson, Andrew Goedicke; great grandchild, Selah Dill-Barnow; many nieces, nephews, and honorary family.

The family will be receiving visitors from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, July 11, 2025 at Alexander West Chapel, 2100 W. Illinois Street, Evansville, IN. Visitation will also be held on Saturday beginning at 10:00 am until service time at the funeral home.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Alexander West Chapel, officiated by Rev. Gene Backes, followed by entombment in Alexander Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. James West, 3105 Hillcrest Terrace, Evansville, IN 47712 and St. Jude’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.