Lillard Mathis Gregory, 75
Lillard Mathis Gregory, age 75, passed away Friday, October 17, 2008 at Sumner Regional Medical Center. The funeral service was conducted Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 2 p.m. from the Alexander Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Jeff Blackwell and Brother Jerry Gammon officiating. Tommy Ezzell, Phillip Gregory, Kelvin Gregory, Jeff Gregory, Ricky Gregory, John Gregory, David Gregory, Steve Jones, and also all of Macon County School system employees served as honorary pallbearers. Jackie Porter, Robbie Gregory, Joey Gregory, Nathan Gregory, Ricky Perrigo, Mark Ballou, Philip Ballou, and Jimmy Ezzell served as active pallbearers. Interment followed in the Macon County Memorial Gardens.
Lillard Mathis Gregory was born on Sunday, August 20, 1933 in Macon County, Tenn. He was the son of the late Gena Eskel and Burnist (Mathis) Gregory. Besides his parents, Lillard was preceded in death by; brothers, Truman Gregory, Glenn Gregory, sisters, Thelma Porter, and Juanita Jones. On January 30, 1954, he married Ira Faye Ezzell, sharing fifty-four years together, she survives. In 1977, they were able to take Gail Blankenship into their home and raise her as if she were their own. They received full custody of Gail, when she was in the third grade and they both agreed that their lives were complete.
Lillard worked for the Macon County Board of Education as a school bus driver for 24 years, after retiring from Freight Lines where he worked until 1985. He was a member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. He loved his family and cherished his time with his grandchildren. Lillard became a substitute grandfather for a little girl, Emily Carter, when she was in a car accident that took the life of her own grandfather, Willard Carr. Lillard and Faye opened their hearts to Emily and he became “Pop” to Emily as well.
Lillard was a fun loving guy with a big appetite for both food and fellowship. He was passionate about playing Rook; building a room in his garage, for his Friday night Rook games with his buddies.
Besides his wife Faye, he is survived by a daughter, Gail Goodall and her husband Tim, three grandchildren, Shaun Goodall, Madisyn Goodall, and Madilyn Goodall, 2 brothers, Gordon Gregory and his wife Virginia, Ralph Gregory and his wife Betty, all of Lafayette, several nieces and nephews also survive.
