Emma Dean Lillard

Emma Dean Murrell Lillard, age 84, of Newport, passed away Friday morning November 27, 2009 in Baptist Hospital of Cocke County. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, and until her health would not allow she attended the Sowers-Friendship Sunday school class. She retired from South Central Bell after 36 years of service. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Mr. Jesse Mulford Lillard, whom she married September 22, 1945; parents Mr. and Mrs. Chester Murrell; and sister, Dorothy Murrell; father-in-law and mother-in-law, E. H. and Elizabeth McNabb Lillard; brother-in-law, Swann H. Lillard; sisters-in-law, Verna Mae Gray, Evelyn Rhodes and Dorothy Lillard. She is survived by her two godsons and great-great-nephews, E. Edward (Dusty) Rhodes IV and Nicholas Kyker Rhodes; great-nephew, E. Edward III (Eddie) and Paige Rhodes, of Newport; special cousins and caregivers, Vonn Ray and Hazel Murrell, Don and Laura Jane Ball, of Newport; Anne Williams of Cosby; Rob and Lisa Myers; cousins, Tommy Lilllard, Beth Lillard James, of Newport, Pat Click Chism, of Texas, Myra Ball, of Newport, Paul Baxter, of Cosby, Nelle Williamson and Jean Carrell of Newport; 2nd cousins, David and Shawna Murrell, Joey and Amy Bradshaw, Donna and Dorian Milam; nieces, Janet and Kenneth Porter, and Evelyn Rhodes, of Newport; nephews, E. Edward Jr., and JoAnn Rhodes, of Dandridge; great-niece, Janie Porter, of Nashville; great-nephews, James K. Porter, JR, of Sevierville, Christopher and Tracey Rhodes and their daughter, Ally and son, Tristan, of Johnson City; great-great-nephews, James Kenneth (Trey) Porter III and Katie Porter, of Sevierville; Heath and Jennifer Rhodes and their sons, Cody and Seth Rhodes, of Baltimore Maryland; special friends Maggie, Mike and Josh Strange; also many other family and friends. The family would like to thank all the nurses, caregivers, friends and sitters that helped with the wonderful and loving care they gave Dean during her illness. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm. Sunday, November 29, 2009 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel with Rich Lloyd and Rob Myers officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 2 p.m. prior to the services on Sunday at Manes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Television Ministry, 261 E. Broadway, Newport, TN 37821

Emma Dean Lillard

August 10, 1925 - November 27, 2009