903-564-3800

In loving memory

Meador Funeral Home – Gainesville

Viewing –

Thursday, August 20, 2020, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Meador Funeral Home

1204 E. California Street

Gainesville, Texas 76240

Funeral Service –

Friday, August 21, 2020 – 10:00 am

New Hope Cemetery Pavilion

Mountain Springs, Texas

 

 

 

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After a long and happy life, Marcelle Lillard Rogers, 92, passed peacefully last Tuesday, August 11, at Pecan Tree Rehab and Healthcare Center with family at her side.

Marcelle was born in Mountain Springs April 20, 1928, to George and Julia Lillard. The family moved to Gainesville in the late 1930s so that the children (eventually nine of them) could attend high school. Marcelle’s first marriage took her to Illinois and then Arizona. Her second marriage brought her home to Texas, via a stop in Oklahoma.

Marcelle was the last of the Lillard Sisters, a five-woman army of wit, intelligence, determination, independence, exceptional humor, talent, perseverance, and physical prowess. Until a few months ago, Marcelle was still going to “the dance” as often as she could; until a year ago, that was twice a week.

A natural redhead, she was fiery and could dig her heels in deep when she thought necessary. She was also often the peacekeeper, playing Switzerland among all the other fiery members of the family (there were four amazing brothers, too). She was especially loving with never an unkind word to say about anyone. She could be the voice of reason and had such a consistently positive and upbeat approach to life, always encouraging others to do and be happy. If you ever met Marcelle, know that you were loved. That is the kind of woman that she was.

Her loving and generous spirit led Marcelle to participate in many volunteer activities. She was a long-time member of First Christian Church where she served as deacon, greeter, and member of Women of Faith in Service, Women of Vision, and Tuesday Prayer Group. She was also a charter member of the Time Out Program at Stanford House. A natural caregiver, she started her service there in 1993 and often said that she received more from the members than she gave.

Marcelle is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Irene Bryant, Delsie Lillard, Betty Duke, and Peggy Fogle; brothers J.W. Lillard, Archie Dean Lillard, and Kenneth Lillard; husbands (first) Joe Baker and Thomas Lauris Rogers; and son Thomas Lane Rogers. She is survived by children Virginia Ewick, David (Christine) Rogers, Rebekah Moore (nee Baker), Cynthia Anderson (nee Rogers); grandchildren Catrina (Jeff) Harig, Cynthia (Dale) Persinger, Melanie  Cengeri, Michelle (Kelly) Swartzbaugh, Candie (Marcus) Garrett, Geoffrey (Christy) Moore, Thomas Moore, Abigail Anderson, and Benjamin Anderson; 14 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild; brother Douglas (Doris) Lillard; and a host of nieces and nephews. All of us will miss her dearly.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 21, 2020, in the pavilion at New Hope Cemetery in Mountain Springs. Please note that seating is limited. Bring a chair if you will be more comfortable seated.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Christian Church Youth Program or to the Stanford House Time Out Program.

Face masks will be required and social distancing for viewing and services.

Come and go viewing is available Thursday, August 20, 2020 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at Meador Funeral Home Chapel, 1204 E. California Street, Gainesville, Texas