Mary Arlene Lilly Lewis (96) of Beecher City

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 13, in Spring Hill Cemetery, in rural Beecher City, with Ron Taylor officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or the Spring Hill Cemetery Fund and mailed to Lockart-Green Funeral Home, 302 W. Main St., Shelbyville, IL 62565. Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Beecher City is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left by clicking here.

Mary was born July 17, 1926, in Loudon Township, Fayette County, to Lemuel Richard and Wreatha Goldie (Bartimus) Lilly. Mary married Charles Eugene Lewis June 8, 1947, in Earlimart, Tulare County, California and from that union they were blessed with three children. Mary later married Robert Daniel Martin.   

Mary was a 1946 graduate of Beecher City High School. She obtained her cosmetology degree from Dorothy Chrysler School of Beauty in the early 1980's. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Effingham. Mary spent over 50 years in the preaching work, in the door-to-door ministry, as minister of Jehovah. She took the time to mentor and conduct bible studies with interested ones. Mary always enjoyed spending time with her students and spiritual brothers and sisters with whom she treasured their longtime friendships. Mary was always willing to lend a helping hand and spent many years caring for her parents and others. Mary enjoyed cooking and maintaining her yard and flowers. She had an impeccable eye for color and interior design. Mary had the ability to put different decades of furniture and decor to make a showcase room worthy of a magazine cover. She adored her family and always enjoyed the time she spent with them.  

She is survived by her three children: Charles Lewis and wife (Mercedes) of El Paso, TX, Todd Lewis and wife (Penny) of Vandalia and Denise Chatham-Newell of Highland; eight grandchildren: Rene Beccue and husband (Jamie) of Altamont,  Brandi Wilson and husband (Matthew) of Mason, James Lewis and wife (Destiny) of CA, Monty Hendrickson and wife (Danielle) of Madison, IN, Jennifer Chatham and husband (Jared Jackson) of Glen Carbon, Christine Chatham of Breese, Caleb Lewis and fiancé (Michelle Henry) of Vandalia and Collin Lewis of Effingham; 14 great grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Betty Kruzan of Washington; sister-in-law, Alice Bender Lilly of Decatur along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

She is preceded in death by her parents: Lemuel Lilly and Wreatha Bartimus Lilly; brothers:  Duane and J.R. Lilly; sisters: Lois Himes and Bernice Wright; brothers-in-law:  Loren Wright, Earl Himes and Albert Kruzan and sister-in-law, Wilma Tipsword Lilly.