Chris Presley Lilly
April 8, 1952 ~ March 4, 2020
Born in:
Beckley, WV
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Chris Presley Lilly, of Fletcher, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2020 in Asheville surrounded by her family.
A native of Beckley, WV, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Phyllis Christian Presley.
Chris, affectionately known to all as “Mimi”, was a longtime preschool teacher at Arden Presbyterian Church. She adored her granddaughters, as well as shopping, especially for bright clothes and accessories. Her vibrant style was a direct representation of her personality, as she never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation anywhere she went. Chris had a love for the beach and recently returned from a dream trip spent in the Florida Keys.
She is survived by her husband of more than 48 years, Bill Lilly; two daughters, Amy Sheets (Corey) and Stephani Wickline (Heath); four granddaughters, Emma Sheets, Hannah Sheets, Mary Emmett Wickline and Lilly Wickline, as well as many beloved friends.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 7 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with Bill Cleminson officiating. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family graciously asks that you consider a donation in Chris’ name to Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC 28806 or www.eblencharities.org.
Services
Celebration of Life: March 7, 2020 11:00 am
Room: Chapel
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Visitation: March 7, 2020 10:00 am - October 8, 2024 11:00 am
Room: Chapel
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Chris Presley Lilly 's name.
Memories Timeline
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Bill and all the girls, my heart hurts for your loss. Prayers for your heart healing. The world lost a beautiful angel but heaven gained one.
Our prayers are with you all! I know you will miss your dear Mimi so! We are ever so grateful that God blessed us with knowing “Miss Lilly”! She was a dear friend and an amazing preschool teacher!
All our love!
Garrett, Jo, Kaitlyn, and Jason Pittman
Dear Friends,
I am so sorry for your loss! I met Chris and Bill as Amy was coming to WCU we were at a. Orientation dinner for parents of incoming Freshmen! She dramatically told me I needed to be Amy’s WCU mom! It would make her feel better. I assured her I would do whatever Amy needed me to do! Amy and I became AXD sisters soon! Chuck and I fell in Love with that special girl and all her family. Even though we have only had Christmas Card visits and exchanged pictures of grand girls I continue to count the Lily Family as forever friends! May God bless you all during the difficult days ahead and know I’ll hold you close In Prayer. May all those special memories made with Mimi bring comfort! Love Mrs Kathy
Oh! Sweet Chris! Who will I shop with! We always had so many laughs and did crazy things! Now you will never have to worry about us falling together!
You will be greatly missed and I love you dearly! Remember don’t say goodbye!
Sending love and prayers to the LILLY’s!
Oh! Sweet Chris! Who will I shop with! We always had so many laughs and did crazy things! Now you will never have to worry about us falling together!
You will be greatly missed and I love you dearly! Remember don’t say goodbye!
Love and prayers to the LILLY’s!
Sending love and prayers to the LILLY’s!
Bill my heart is broken. I have just returned from my daughter’s in Louisville and for some reason she was on my mind today. Now I know why. I cherish the time I got to reconnect with her. I will miss our phone conversations and was looking forward to the road trip in August for our 50th high school reunion. My love and prayers to you, your daughters and her beautiful granddaughters.
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your precious Chrissy. I know you will miss her terribly. May God give you peace and comfort as only He can give.
Lilly family,
What a dear person and friend Chris has been. Not seeing her as often as I used to but everytime we ran in to each other it was so so fun! What a wonderful Christian lady. She will be missed!
Dear Sweet Friends,
I will miss my sweet, funny, sassy beautiful Chrissy. We spent almost every day together for 11 years at Arden Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten as Co-teachers. We saw each other more than our families. And boy did we laugh!! And then we were able to spend time together selling beautiful children’s clothing. I cherish every minute and am so grateful God have us each other. Loving you all as we celebrate her big wonderful life!
Kay Dinkins
I am so sad to read this. Chris never met a stranger and always had a smile that would light up the room.
Love you sister❤️
Bill, Stephani, Amy and all other family members:
I just got word this evening about Chris. My son, Erik Crouch, was beside himself as he recalled all the kindness shown to our family after Easton (his second son) was lucky enough to have Chris and Kay in preschool. That time was after their mother had to be away from her children and family. The children were very concerned about their mother. Erik was comforted by Chris and almost everyday would ask what could she help with. She was always wanting to help others. What a Christian woman she was! I thank God everytime I think of how she nurtured our kids and Erik during a very scary time in their lives. Angels surround us here on Earth. Chris was an Angel for all of us! I will be praying for each of you during these next few weeks as you are missing Chris so very much! Take that walk with God as your Guide and be comforted in your grief. I know it all seems surreal right now. May God Be With You All! Love, Paula Crouch Smith, Heidi Crouch Little and
Erik Crouch
Dear Bill and Family
I was stunned to see this today. So many wonderful memories flooded my mind. I was so looking forward to seeing Chris in August at our reunion. Heaven gained an angel. My prayers for each of you.
Dear Bill, Amy, and Stephanie, My friendship with Chris was so very precious. We shared so many joys and sorrows over so many years and I feel as if I have a hole in my heart that can never be filled. She was one of those friends that I could always talk to about anything and she always understood and encouraged. I will miss her more than anyone can imagine. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, and, like you, I am so thankful for all the sweet memories that I will cherish. Love and sympathy to all.
Brenda
Dear Bill and family, I am sad that your loving wife and mother, mother-in-law, grandmother is passed away. It is a long time ago when we last met because since 2005 we live back in the Netherlands. Although we stayed in contact on social media. She teached our oldest son at preschool APC. She now is with her Lord. I wish you a lot of comfort of our Lord.
I am so sorry to hear about Chris. So many words describe her but loving, kind, and happy seem to be at the top. We had such fun together when you lived in Huntington WV and I wish we had reconnected sooner than we did just a few short years ago. May you be comforted knowing how much she loved all of you. She will be missed by so many because she touched so many lives. My sympathy to everyone.
Chris was a former student of mine at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV. She always had a smile for everyone. Please know that you and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I’ve only known Chris for a short period of time but feel like I’ve known her forever…
she was full of energy and a real zest for life and will be missed.
I know she’s looking down on all of us and no longer suffering.
Thoughts and prayers to her family.
Amy our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family. We are so sorry for your loss.
A gracious and kind lady. I got to know Chris when I took my g grandson (Garrett Helton) to pre school at Arden Pres for 2 years. She was always kind and pleasant . Sending deepest sympathy to her family . I know you will miss her.❤️