Lillian Carris Crowfoot

Lillian Carris was born October 10, 1926 in Ashford, West Virginia, the oldest daughter of Lakin Davis and Inza Adkins McDerment. She was preceded in death by her husband, Colin Arthur Crowfoot, two sons, Daniel and Jonathan, and a grandson, Michael Crowfoot. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Mary Lee McDerment Perry and Elfa Mae McDerment Barker, and three brothers, Lakin McDerment, Jr., George McDerment, and Lucian McDerment.

She attended local schools in Boone County until her senior year in high school when she moved with her cousin Ruth to Charleston, WV, where she was able to take some particular classes helpful for her plans to go to India as a missionary. She then attended the Prairie Bible Institute in Canada, following up with medical missionary training at BIOLA, the Bible Institute of Los Angeles in California. Once she arrived in India she immersed herself in language studies before launching out on her missionary work.

When she met Colin, he was working for an office equipment firm, Kilburn’s in Calcutta. Carris was then on loan from the Evangelical Alliance Mission to the Children’s Special Service Mission and ministering in schools throughout India. Colin invited her to speak to his youth group at the Old Mission Church, and they became friends, keeping up correspondence as Carris’ travels led her to various cities all over India.

Eventually, correspondence led to romance, and they were married on Christmas Eve in 1954 in Calcutta’s newly renovated Old Mission Church. They welcomed their first child, David, a year later.

Colin joined Carris in missions work, studying and becoming an ordained minister during her first furlough home to West Virginia. They returned to India, spending their lives serving in school missions. Writing was a large part of Carris’ ministry. Her book of poetry, “Pulsating Moments,” has enriched the hearts of many. For several years she also edited and published a magazine for youth called “Teen Bells” which was well received and distributed in schools throughout India.

After a long career the they found it necessary to return to West Virginia because of Carris’ health. They then accepted an offer of a posting in Georgia where they finally retired.

Carris maintained her cheerful outlook and concern for others until the end, even in the face of her own difficulties. She continued writing, editing, and publishing, filling up journals until the last weeks of her life.

Lillian Carris is survived by two sons, David and Peter, grandsons Joshua, Byron, Jonathan Jr., Daniel, and Oliver and Eric, granddaughters Lauren, Meghan, and Stacia, several great-grandchildren, her brother Walter McDerment, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The memorial service will be 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Eternal Hills Funeral Home in Snellville, GA. Visitation with friends and family will be the hour prior to the service, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. A brief graveside service will immediately follow the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Redeemer Church Missionary Fund, 3750 Zoar Church Road, Snellville, GA 30039. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eternalhillsfuneralhome.com.