Lillian Mize

Lillian H. Mize

"Miss Lillian"

Age 93 of Morris passed away Thursday October 3, 2013 at Walnut Grove Village in Morris.

Born January 9, 1920 in Beaumont, Texas. Lillian was a daughter of the late J.C. and Mae Ezell-Fuller. She was raised and educated in Beaumont and graduated from Beaumont High School with the class of 1939. On November 24, 1942, Lillian enrolled into the WAAC (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) and honorably served as one of the first for her country. On May 25, 1943, Lillian married Rufus Mize in Jonesboro, Arkansas and over the years held her home in various places including: Batesville, Arkansas, Dwight, Illinois, Lockport, Illinois and California. Lillian was a member of the First Baptist Church of Coal City where since 2005, she took great pride in her job of door greeter and passing out bulletins. Miss Lillian was a member of the Women's Missionary Union (MWU) at First Baptist Church of Coal City and was involved with the Coal City Community Choir for several years as an actress. She enjoyed going to hear the Gaithers in Concert, and loved traveling with her husband Rufus. Lillian will be remembered for her enjoyment of showing her kids and grandkids how to play jacks and double dutch jump rope.

Survivors include her three children: Katherine Chesser of The Woodlands, Texas, Wayne (Dawn) Mize of Dwight, Gail (Chuck) Stratz of Morris; five grandchildren: Tracey (Tim) Campbell of Dwight, David (Heather) Mize of Burlington, North Carolina, Tiffani Chesser of Houston, Texas, Joy (Luis Puqueno) Chesser of Deer Park, Texas and Timothy (Julie) Stratz of Morris; eight great grandchildren: Louisa, Kayla and Christina Campbell, Olivia Mize, Leia and Lexi Warner, Anthony Puqueno and Amethyst Stratz; one sister: Bettye DeSoto of Beaumont, Texas; special niece Denise DeSoto, and other nephews and nieces, as well as her First Baptist Church family.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband: Rufus; parents J.C. and Mae Fuller; grandson Matthew Chesser and son-in-law Tom Chesser

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Sunday October 6, 2013 between the hours of 2:00pm and 5:00pm at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City.

Lillian will then lie in state at the First Baptist Church of Coal City on Monday October 7th from 10:00am until time of funeral service at 11:00am. Pastor Dan Ahlenius will officiate.

Burial will follow on Thursday October 10, 2013 at 11:00AM in Egner Cemetery in Salado, Arkansas.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Lillian's memory to The First Baptist Church of Coal City, P.O. Box 39, Coal City, Illinois 60416.

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815/634-2125)