Obituary of Lillie Span

Lillie Mae Pipkins was born in Tunica, Mississippi on March 1, 1943. She was the daughter of the late Isiah "Ike" Pipkins and the late Anniebell (Peterson) Pipkins. At a young age her family moved to Chicago where she received her formal education. She married Freddie Lee Span and from this union would come the birth of four children. For several years she worked at Foam-Craft as a laborer and then worked for several more years employed as a receptionist for Gorgo Roofing Company in Chicago. Eventually, she gave up working outside the home to care full-time for her family. Her greatest joy in life was that of her faith. She often attended five meetings per week and loved to perform field service to share her faith with others. Lillie liked to put others first and she was blessed with a big heart and a warm, caring disposition. Known to be an excellent cook, Lillie loved to share her cuisine and home to anyone in need, especially children. She enjoyed going out to eat and shopping, preferring to visit the stores. Lillie took great pride in her personal appearance, finding ways to be put together. She loved the outdoors and riding her bike, recently she had enjoyed tooling around town on her motorized scooter. Lillie Mae Span, age 73, of Monroe passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2016. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by a son: Fredrick Leon Span; a grandson: Eric Lamont Span; and a brother: Isiah Pipkins. To cherish her memory she leaves three daughters: Gloria Jean (Joseph) Holloway of Monroe, LaVerne (Steven) Ward of Plainfield, Illinois, and Lolita (Gary) Cooper of Monroe; one sister: Marie Meshack of Chicago; six grandchildren: Freddie (Dwennetta) Jones, Lolita "Misha" Span, Steven V. (Abryanna) Ward, Nicholas A. Ward, Gary "Junior" Cooper, and Christopher J. Ward; ten great grandchildren: Daquan Conn, Eric,Devaugh, and Cantrell Span, Heavyn and Patrick Mazzie, Gary and Gavon Cooper, Charity and Fredrick Jones. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm, Thursday, March 31, 2016 and from 11:00-1:00pm, Friday, April 1 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie (734) 241-7070. A Funeral Service will take place at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, 5301 East Albain at 2:00pm on Friday. Elder John Wilhelm will officiate. Procession will then follow to Roselawn for burial. Online guests may leave condolences by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.