Lillie Brown

Lillie Drewsiller Coffelt Brown , 91, of Carlisle died Monday, February 24, 2014 at Heartland Rehab and Care in Benton.

She was the widow of Burnice M. Brown who died in 1981. Drewsiller was born at home, May 3, 1922 south of Carlisle, daughter of the late A. Hiley Coffelt and Mary Belle Case Coffelt and lived in Carlisle most of her life.

Drewsiller was a proud member of Carlisle Pentecostal Church of God where she served as church treasurer and held other positions throughout the years and supported it every way she could. She leaves a priceless legacy of commitment and faithfulness to God and her family. She was a woman of great strength and character, sacrificing her needs to give and do for others.

She is survived by nine nieces and nephews of the original 15 who she loved and took care of as if they were her own, since she and Burnice had no children of their own. There are  many grand nieces and nephews as well as great-grands who survive her.

These nieces and nephews, who called her Auntie, feel blessed to have had the opportunity to love her and treasure the time they shared with her. Often she cared for other children while the parents worked.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four Coffelt brothers, Cecil J., Andrew H., Silas H., Gordon P; one sister, Iness R. Coffelt Carpenter and two nieces and four nephews.

Drewsiller enjoyed sewing and especially making quilts that she often gave to relatives and friends. When she went to visit for a weekend or longer she would take with her the cut quilt block pieces along with sewing supplies in a small tote bag. Much of her work was done entirely by hand with the tiniest stiches.

For years she won many blue ribbons at the Lonoke County Fair. Often some of those sewing projects, canned foods, and baked items were worthy of being displayed at the Arkansas State Fair where she won more ribbons.

She was an excellent cook and for years grew and cared for her own garden and flowers as long as she was able.

Funeral Service will be Friday, February 28, 10 a.m. at Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke with Bro. Robert Barnes officiating. Burial will follow in Center Point Cemetery, Northwest of Hazen, next to her husband.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, February 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers are nephews.

Flowers are welcomed but memorial contributions may be made to Carlisle Pentecostal Church of God, P.O Box 911, Carlisle, AR 72024. Arrangements by Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke. Online guest register, www.boydfuneralhome.net.