Mary Ann Lilley

Mary Ann Lilley, 87, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, passed away peacefully June 7, 2021, due to heart complications. 

Mary was born February 20, 1934, in Athol, Massachusetts.  She was the thirteenth of fourteen children, born to Antonio Vitello and Domenica DiPietro. 

Mary met her future husband, Walter Gordon Lilley, when he was 12 years old and Mary was 11 years old.  Walt informed Mary that he was going to marry her someday, and Walt did become the love of her life.  They were married February 14, 1953, in Athol, Massachusetts, and spent a lifetime of 68 years together. 

Mary’s life was fully devoted to raising her five children and supporting her husband, who had made the military his career. They lived in the following locations:  Arizona, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Massachusetts, Germany, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Puerto Rico, Virginia and South Carolina. 

In 1979, Mary dedicated her life to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  She served the Lord as a member of Women’s Aglow in the position of treasurer, she taught women’s Bible study, and as a gifted musician she played the piano for the church.  She will always be remembered for her strong faith.  Her favorite books of the Bible were Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospel of John.  She loved the older Christian hymns, but her all-time favorite hymn was “How Great Thou Art”.

Mary is survived by her husband, Walter Gordon Lilley, Sr; her daughter and spouse, Vicki Lee Morris and James Morris; her daughter, Jacki Ojakian; her daughter and spouse, Diana Marie Mutschink and Scott Mutschink; her son, Walter Gordon Lilley, Jr.; and her son and spouse, Kenneth Paul Lilley and Carol Lilley:  Her grandchildren, Laurie Marie Smith and Jared Smith; Michelle Lynn Serwe and George Serwe; Jacki Lynn Johnson and Brian Johnson; Brandon Eugene Ojakian; Kyle Martin Ojakian and Nicole Ojakian; Kevin Joseph Patroni and Allyson Patroni; Brian Christopher Patroni:  Her step-grandchildren, Tina Kashaun Wade and Aaron Wade; Kyle Franklin Mutschink; Esther Rae Barnett:  Several great grandchildren.  Mary is also survived by her brother, Charles Vitello.

Mary will be cremated, and she will rest at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. 

In lieu of flowers, please offer donations to:  International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4300, Chicago, Illinois, 60602-2584, which was of greatest interest to Mary.

Palmetto Funeral Home and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.

Psalm 23: 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  He leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul:  He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:  And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.         

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