Lottie Louella Lilly

Lottie “Louella” (Sturgill) Lilly passed away peacefully on January 22nd, 2026. Born September 7th, 1955, she was the daughter of Lottie Ethel (Deck) Sturgill and Orin Vernon Sturgill who preceded her in death. Louella now resides in Heaven with Jesus in whom she trusted for salvation at a young age.

Louella married the love of her life, Gary Lilly on May 23rd, 1987, and became “bonus mom” to Jason, Tim, and Kim Lilly all of whom adored her very much. In January 1989, God blessed Louella and Gary with a daughter, Jennifer Grace. In Louella’s eyes and heart, Jennifer was the most precious, most beautiful and most perfect little girl ever! She still felt that way on the day of her death.

A graduate of Sophia High School and Concord College, Louella was a school teacher who absolutely loved teaching students eager to learn. She taught first at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV, later at Sophia Christian Academy in Sophia, WV, and finished her teaching career at Seneca Trail Christian Academy in Ronceverte, WV.

Louella also taught Sunday School and enjoyed working crossword puzzles at which she was very good. She was absolutely the sweetest person and had a heart of Gold. Everyone who knew her loved her. She was known for keeping everything; however, she would give anything away to those who needed it.

In addition to her parents, Louella was also preceded in death by her brothers, Lowell Sturgill and William (Bill) Sturgill; sisters, Karen Parker and Audrey Schneberger; brothers-in-law, David "Dave" Franks (First Freewill Baptist Missionary to Brazil), Curtis Parker, and John Moomaw; sister-in-law, Patricia (Lowell) Sturgill, nephew Phillip Parker, mother-in-law, Gladys Lilly; and great-grandchildren, Adalynn White and Colten Johnson.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving and devoted husband, Gary Lilly; daughters Jennifer Lilly and Kim (Billy) Higgs; sons, Jason (Joel) Lilly, and Tim (Etienne) Lilly; brothers, Rev. James (Vicky) Sturgill (missionaries to Brazil), and Keith (Leslie) Sturgill; sisters, Patricia Franks and Martha Moomaw; brother-in-law, Gerry Schneberger; and sister-in-law, Ruth Sturgill; nieces, nephew, great nieces and great nephews, and great great- nieces and great great- nephews; 14 grandchildren and 3 expected great- grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, January 31st, 2026 at 2PM at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley with Rev. Todd Baker officiating. The family will receive visitors two hours prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Children’s Home Society, Lewisburg.