Mary Anna Taylor Lilley

1929 - 2017

Mary Anna Taylor Lilley

WILLIAMSTON - Mary Anna Taylor Lilley, 87, of Williamston passed away at her home on Monday, August 21, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Laurence Eason Lilley, Sr. and parents Mary T. and Leroy G. Taylor.

Born on December 5, 1929, Mary Anna was a Martin County native growing up in the Spring Green community near Hamilton. She first met Laurence while enrolled as a student at Women's College in Greensboro. After graduating from college, Mary Anna taught high school typing and accounting in Scotland Neck for two years while Laurence was serving actively in the NC National Guard. After several years of long distance courtship, they married on June 6, 1953.

Mary Anna and Laurence shared a beautiful life together, raising three sons and a daughter and enjoying thirteen grandchildren before his death in March, 2009. Family and friends were at the center of daily life. Nags Head was the special place the family shared, with some of the happiest days for Mama Lil spent watching over her husband, children and grandchildren on the beach that she loved most. She truly enjoyed preparing special meals for family coming off the beach or at holidays and gatherings.

Mary Anna demonstrated her faith in God daily in the way she went about life. She made certain her family was in Sunday school and worship each Sunday and her children were in church choir, Vacation Bible School and youth group. Hers was an active faith as she and Laurence led the CYF, and she was a member of the Anna Circle at First Christian Church. In addition, she was a scout leader for all four of her children.

Mary Anna was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend and these relationships were her true passion. She cherished the life-long friendships formed and nurtured in "The Card Club" and this group of couples would go on to celebrate lifetimes of special occasions, anniversaries, family weddings and parties. Mary Anna particularly enjoyed her bookkeeping work for the farming interests that she maintained. She kept a warm and welcoming home that was often the sight of gatherings for her friends of all ages. Mary Anna was a beautiful woman inside and out with amazing patience, kindness, and grace.

Mary Anna is survived by son Laurence Lilley, Jr., his wife Claudia, and children Katie, Lee (and wife Lyric), and Matt (and wife Brooke); son Roy Lilley, his wife Carla, and children Taylor (and wife Sarah), and Ashton; daughter Jo Anna Lilley McMillan, her husband Doug, and children Mary Laurence (and husband Andrew), Virginia, Worth, Lee Anna, and Roy; and son Jim Lilley, his wife Catherine, and children Paul, Sam, and Cate. She was blessed to see the beginning of a new generation with great grandchildren Anna Grace and Sadie Lilley.

A celebration of Mary Anna's life will be held at First Christian Church Williamston, 101 E. Liberty Street, Williamston, NC 27892 at 1:30 pm on Thursday, August 24. A visitation will follow immediately after the service at the home at 215 Cedar Lane, Williamston. A private burial will be held for family preceding the memorial service.

The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to her devoted physician, Dr. Stephen Manning, a faithful team of caregivers: Donna Harrison, Barbara Williams, Peggy Wesson, Delphine Young, Sharrie Harris, Chris Bond and Tina Mebane, and Community Home Care and Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the First Christian Church Williamston or the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County, 621 W. Firetower Road, Winterville, NC 28590.

Mary Anna will always be remembered for her grace, hospitality, generosity, and unending devotion to family and friends. As published in The Daily Reflector