Jerome Dillard Sr.

Jerome Francis Dillard, Sr., aged 86, entered into eternal sleep on December 2, 2024 at the home shared with son and daugther in Lynchburg, VA. He was the son of the late Alice Leigh Jones Dillard and the late Paul Revere Dillard.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Carlessa Wilson Dillard; son, Jerome F. Dillard, Jr.; daughter, Vanessa Saunders; brother, Paul Dillard, Jr.; sister, Julia Morgan; and granddaughter, Tiara Dillard. Lest not forget his extended family formerly residing in Baltimore, MD, Mr. & Mrs. Jerome & Fannie Mosby, and the deceased members of the Eberhart Family.

Sometimes known as Lil’ Jerome, Dill, Me-Daddy, Pa-Pa, or just plain Daddy, Jerome was born May 13, 1938, attending Lynchburg Public Schools (Dunbar High School - Lynchburg, VA), returning for his GED in 1996. His commitment to providing for his family outweighed everything else in life and created a very strong work ethic. His survival instinct, and ability to make a hustle, out spoke his years of formal education.

Jerome worked many jobs from a very early age. He spent many years as a general worker, driver and warehouse supervisor for Janet’s Salads, Ms. Giles Salads, and most recently as a delivery driver for the Lynchburg Public School System, retiring after nearly 20 years. After retirement, he was able to enjoy his true passions in life - traveling, casinos, playing cards, watching boxing and westerns, fishing, working on cars, repairing lawnmowers and just tinkering around the yard and basement. If you needed a tool, part, or piece of something, chances are he had it! He loved helping any one with a project and formed a close relationship with everyone on Stratford Road. Everyone waved to Mr. Jerome when they saw him. If wealth could be measured in friends, then Jerome was a very rich man.

The Dillard Family, were lifelong members of Diamond Hill Baptist Church. Jerome was never a fan of organized religion and preferred a more personal relationship with God. He never shared how he felt or what he believed. If Jerome was to be remembered, it will be as a family man and a hard worker! The life skills and wisdom that he passed on and instilled in everyone that he cared about, is his true legacy.

Jerome’s life was forever changed, when as a teenager, he met the love of his life. He was married twice to Donna Carlessa Wilson Dillard, for a total of nearly 50 years. Their marriage was blessed by the joy of 8 children. Jerome leaves behind a large family of (3) daughters, Donna Toler and Carla Williams of Lynchburg, VA and La-Juan Cason (Vinson) of Wrightsville, GA; (3) sons, Gregory Dillard (Larry), Timothy Dillard, and Victor Dillard of Lynchburg, VA; sister, Sarah Thornhill of Lynchburg, VA; brother, Jerry Dillard of Lynchburg, VA; (9) grand children; (7) great-grandchildren; special friend, Mary McDaniel; and dedicated “homies” Clarence Baldwin and Robert Allen; as well as many treasured sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews, wherever they may reside. Jerome leaves behind a HUGE community of relatives and friends to celebrate his legacy and carry on his name.

A public visitation will be held Friday, December 6, 2024 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, at 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg Chapel at 3:00 P.M. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Burial Park. A light repass will follow back at Tharp Funeral Home Multi-purpose room.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is serving the family.