Nov. 19, 1931 – June 24, 2018
At the age of 86, Lillian Cudworth, formerly Lillian Michael, joined the Eternal Saints in God’s heavenly kingdom. Lillian was the last surviving child of eight children born at home in the Obis community of Ashe County, NC to the parents of Fredrick Clinton and Mary Ann Brown Dillard. On her fourteenth birthday, she was baptized in the Idlewild branch of the New River in the Obids community near West Jefferson, NC. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1951, she moved to Greensboro to work as a Southern Bell phone operator. In her later years, she worked at the Masonic Eastern Star retirement center caring for skilled care patients. At the family farm, she took care of her father and sister with in home palliative care until they entered the Kingdom Triumphant. Nurturing and encouraging her family, friends, neighbors, church community, and co-workers was her God given gift and way of life.
Each day began with a daily devotional including prayer, Bible readings, and inspirational ponderings. Daily walking with God, sustained her gift at naturally being a supportive and loving presence to those who grieved, were broken hearted, and needed love and grace. She enjoyed being in the kitchen while at home and at church. Her chocolate and vanilla pound cakes could be found at bereavement meals, birthday parties, Christmas, and holiday celebrations or given as a surprise gift throughout the year. She enjoyed having the family gathered for special occasions and at Christmas. Being around the table and in fellowship delighted her soul. She was a quiet and holy presence throughout her lifetime. Word Puzzle searches, and hand stitching with needlework for making Afghans for each family member were some of her favorite pass times.
For many years, canning green beans, tomatoes, corn, and farm crops during the harvest season was her way of life. Annually, the corn cutting for the silage to feed the dairy cows was a joyous chore and accepted as family recreation and work. As sun illumined the top of the mountain and began to light the dining room and kitchen with hope for a new day, laughter could be heard from the kitchen as the preparation for the day began. The rhythm for the early morning breakfast, the mid-morning snacks, the hot lunch with home made biscuits and gravy, snacks for the afternoon, and as the sun set a hot meal to complete the days work were a way of life. The farm was a way to harvest food, grow a family in love and faith, and worship the Lord in every breath that one drew for the new day and evening light from the stars of hope that shine in the darkness.
Thanking Jesus for the little things all day long, she would whisper under her breath, “Thank you Jesus; Thank you Jesus!” Her faith in God was depicted in her way of life and service as she sacrificially gave to those in need. She lived into the covenant of her baptism. She went about doing good, intentionally doing no harm, and living in the ordinances of God. She spread holiness throughout the land by simply being faithful to Christ.
Her marriages blessed her family with biological and stepchildren including Carl J. Michael, Jr. (Jimmy) wife Suzanne, Thomas C. Michael (Tommy) wife Ursula (Ann), Sheila M. Powers husband Robert, Joel Cudworth and Bill Cudworth. In addition, God faithfully multiplied her with eight grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, her faithful and beloved spouses preceded her in death: Carl J. Michael, Sr. (married 1955-1986) and Thomas F. Cudworth (married 1998 -2001). Siblings preceding her in death were Gene, Frank, and Ralph Dillard, Frances Lanier, Carol Unger, Ruth Dillard, and JoAnn Richardson.
A service to celebrate her life will be at 12:00 PM, Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel officiated by Reverend David M. Lindeman, followed by interment at Westminster Gardens Cemetery . The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Magnolia Street Baptist Church, 1203 Magnolia Street, Greensboro, NC, 27401. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.
