Lulu Meese

1932 - 2025

Lulu Knox Meese, 93, of Waynesboro, Virginia passed away Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025 at her assisted living apartment near her beloved grandson, Kenneth Coriale, in Columbia, Maryland.

Lulu was born May 6, 1932 in Presque Isle, Maine, a daughter of Lillian (Watson) Knox and Joseph E. Knox. She married Earl E. Meese on August 20, 1951. They were married until his death 58 years later.

Inspired by the political engagement and humanitarian work of Eleanor Roosevelt, Lulu worked tirelessly to improve her community of Waynesboro and her State of Virginia, especially for women. Lulu served as a volunteer registered lobbyist at the General Assembly of Virginia for the League of Women Voters of Virginia starting in the 1970s. She served as the President of the Waynesboro League of Women Voters in 1969, 1985, 1987, and 1997. Representing pro-ERA supporters, Lulu debated Phyllis Schlafly of "Stop ERA" in Virginia. Lulu was active on the Virginia ERA Ratification Council. She also chaired the Virginia Women's Round Table in the early 1980s. She also served as President of the Virginia League of Women Voters three times: 1975-1979, 1995-1997, and 2005-2007. At the conclusion of her third state Presidency, the Virginia League of Women Voters honored Lulu with an amendment including the statement: "Whereas Lulu is surely Virginia's strongest and most active feminist who thinks of the League as her second family and will be remembered and honored in the annals of the League of Women Voters of Virginia". Lulu also volunteered at the Shenandoah Arts Center and was a chair of First Night Waynesboro.

Lulu was much loved by her family and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughter, Suzan Coriale Roche of Cary, North Carolina, her grandson, Kenneth Coriale of Ellicott City, Maryland, her two great-grandsons, Brayden and Wyatt, her brother, Joseph Knox of Venice, Florida, as well as her nieces and nephews. During her lifetime, Lulu lived in Presque Isle, Maine; Washington D.C; Lincoln, Nebraska; Syracuse, New York; Waynesboro, Virginia; and Ellicott City, Maryland.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Earl E. Meese, her daughter, Dorothy Meese, and her siblings Dana Knox, Richard F. Knox, and Judith Knox Corbin.

A private interment will take place at a family plot in Nebraska. Those desiring are invited to send memorial contributions to the League of Women Voters of Virginia, 1011 E. Main St, Suite 214A, Richmond, VA 23219 or to the Shenandoah Valley Arts Center, 416 W. Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980.