Lucy Dillon

Lucy Ellen Dillon was born January 10, 1931, in Pine Bluff, AR to the late Wade Hampton and the late Lorene Kidd Hampton Thornton. Lucy was the 2nd child born into her family. Lucy attended Froebel High School, one of the first schools in Gary, IN to accept African American students. 

In 1940, she joined the New Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. At the time of her death, January 22, 2025, she was the last charter member of the New Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church with 85 years of service.

 In 1947, she became the wife of the late Eddie C. Dillon, Sr. to which thirteen children were born from this union, each of whom she nurtured with, unwavering love, patience, and strength.  

In 1969, she became a paraprofessional for the Gary Community School Corporation. She served 20 plus years dedicating her life to supporting students and teachers, bringing kindness and a deep commitment to education.

Lucy lived a long life full of love, faith, and devotion to her family. She was known for her warm smile, gentle spirit, and unwavering strength. Whether through her comforting words, delicious home-cooked meals, or the lessons she shared, she left a lasting impact on those around her. She was the heart of the family.

She was a cherished wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother, and aunt whose kindness and wisdom touched the lives of all who knew her.  Her legacy of love and devotion will forever live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind. One of her favorite scriptures was Ecclesiastics 3:1-8.1To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

She would always recite “If I can help somebody as I travel along. If I can help somebody with a word or song. If I can help somebody from doing wrong. No, my living shall not be in vain.”

Lucy was preceded in death by her husband the late Eddie C. Dillon, Sr. Her parents late Wade Hampton and the late Lorene Kidd Hampton Thornton, one infant child, Julie Dillon, one daughter Elizabeth Gregory, 3 Sons Gerald Dillon, Conrad Dillon, and Jeffery Dillon, and two sons in law Anderson Gregory and Charles Moore. Five brothers Willie B Linzy, Garland Boston, Jimmie Hampton, James Hampton, and Enoch Fred Kidd. Three sisters Addie Lue Robinson, Emma Jean Hampton Bibbs, and Earline Boston. 

Lucy is survived by three daughters Lucindia Crockett Denver, CO, Brenda Dillon Moore Gary, IN and Deborah A. Pruitt, Merrillville, IN. Five sons Eddie C. Dillon Jr, Houston, TX, Timothy D. Dillon Fort Wayne, IN, Ralph R. Dillon, Roger R. Dillon both of Gary, IN, and Richard C. Dillon Lansing, IL. Three daughters in law Wanda Dillon Prattville, AL, Delores Dillon Merrillville, IN, and Connie Dillon Jacksonville, FL. 

Four sisters Silverene Hampton Young, Ethel Hampton Showers, Novella Hampton, all of Pine Bluff, AR, and Lauretta Thornton Weems Gary, IN, Three brothers Madison Hampton, Merrillville, IN, Foster Ree Hampton, and Alexander (Jessie) Hampton both of Pine Bluff, AR and sister-in-law Marjorie Hampton Robbins, IL. * 

Twenty-six grandchildren, fifty-six great grandchildren, twenty-four great great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends who will forever cherish her guidance, humor, and boundless love.