Lillian Gaskill

Lillian Gaskill, 88, of 234 W. Park Drive in Morganton, N.C., died Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 at her residence. Born in Forsyth County, N.C., Oct. 11, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Carl Lanning and Delta Swicegood Lanning. Lil graduated from Salem College in 1941 at the age of 16 with a B.A. degree. She received her master's degree in social work from Boston College. Mrs. Gaskill was the retired director for Social Security Disability determination for the state of North Carolina. She served at the pleasure of both the Democratic and Republican governors. While serving the state, she received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian award in North Carolina. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was an ordained elder as well as an honorary lifetime member of Presbyterian Women. Lillian is survived by three children: Dr. Jim Gaskill and wife Judy of Nebo, Lannie Simpson and husband J.R. of Morganton, and Betsy Foulk and husband Dwight of Fayetteville, Ga.,; seven grandchildren, Beth Bumpus of Asheville, Daniel, Jim, Mary Helen and Reid Simpson of Morganton and Andy and Meggie Foulk of Fayetteville; great-grandchildren Christopher and Amber Bumpus of Asheville; and two sisters, Helen Pitts and Vera Talton of Morganton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Milton James Gaskill Sr. A celebration of Lillian's life will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday in First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael Bailey and the Rev. Adam Bowling officiating. Entombment will precede in the church columbarium. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 100 Silver Creek Road, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be made online at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.