Betty Lilly

Betty Joan Gooch Lilly, 83, passed away on September 28, 2015 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. She was born on July 8, 1932 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Nicholas Paul and Clarkie Katherine Evans Gooch.
Betty grew up in Haskell, Oklahoma, San Diego, California, and Andrews, Texas. She graduated from Andrews High School in Andrews, Texas in 1950.
Betty married L.O. Lilly in 1950 in Andrews, Texas. They were happily married for 65 years. Over the years, Betty raised five kids, living in almost every town in West Texas. She volunteered as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts of America and a Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts of America for 22 years. She also worked at GSA for eight years, honored for her service as Outstanding Volunteer for 1986. Betty participated in the Odessa Progressive Garden Club. In the 1990s, she assisted AIDS victims, volunteering for the Permian Basin Aids Coalition. Betty was a member of the Sherwood Church of Christ.
Betty was most proud of her family. She wrote not long ago to her son, "I loved being a Mother and loved my babies." She was a loving mother not only to her five children, but helped to raise her grandkids, great-grandkids, her kids' friends-to anyone who needed a motherly touch. Betty also tirelessly volunteered at the churches she attended, helping with Bible studies, food pantries, and visiting the elderly. Betty's efforts with the Permian Basin Aids Coalition helped AIDS victims at a time when few people would. Her fondest memories outside of family were of the times she worked (she didn't consider it work) at the Permian Basin Girl Scouts Council. Coordinating cookie sales, getting the girls to Mitre Peak, accompanying the troop to Savannah, building a campfire, mentoring young women who still look up to Betty this day-Betty worked countless hours with her long-time friend, Doris Schiller, to help girls serve God, country, and others and to live with grace, courage and self-respect. And to have fun.
Betty was preceded in death by her foster son, Tommy Matthews, her son, David Wayne Lilly, her sister, Billie Bess Gooch, her brother, Paul Leon Gooch, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gooch.
Betty is survived by her husband L.O. Lilly; sisters-in-law Ruth Gooch, Ines Lilly, Dorothy Lilly; her sons Nick Lilly (Andrea Thompson), Clark Lilly, and Richard Lilly; her daughter Kathy Lilly Berryhill (Darren); grandchildren Lorne Lilly Pederson (Travis), Randi Chavez, Maygen Lilly (Chris Valdez), Michael Lilly, Jessica Ortiz-Martinez, Hannah Lilly, Ryan Berryhill, Nick Woolley, Zach Berryhill, Emily Berryhill; great-grandchildren Kaylyn, Morgan, Bailey, Nathan, Matthew, Maddux; first cousins Marcy Whittington McBrayer; Janet Whittington Roberts. She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and many life-long friends, including Frances Moore, Wayne and Charlene Scott of Automotive Industrial Products.
A visitation will be held Wednesday September 30, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home. The family will be greeting friends and relatives at that time. Funeral Services will be held at Sherwood Church of Christ in Odessa, Thursday October 1, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.
The Lilly family would like to thank the nurses at Medical Center Hospital for the care and concern they showed Betty. We would also like to thank Betty's friend and caregiver, Patricia Stewart, whose compassionate, giving, and take-charge nature was a Godsend to our family and Betty.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Susie's Closet, 1701 C, Parkway Drive, Lubbock, Texas, 79403 (http://todaycenterlubbock.com/closet.html); Hope House Odessa, P.O. Box 891, Odessa, Texas, 79760 (http://hopehouseodessa.org/); or the Sherwood Church of Christ Building Fund, 4900 N. Dixie Blvd, Odessa, Texas, 79760 (http://sherwoodcofc.org/). Condolences may be left on Betty Joan Gooch Lilly's online guest book at http://sunsetodessa.com/home.asp?locid=37.

Pallbearers: Nicholas Woolley, David Woolley, Zachery Berryhill, Ryan Berryhill, Perry Berryhill, Parker Martin, Travis Pederson and Chris Valdez.
Honorary Pallbearers: Wayne Scott, Tom Moore, Bill Moore, Dennis Rankin, Darren Berryhill, Danny Lilly and B.D. Berryhill.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
6:00-8:00 PM

Service

Sherwood Church of Christ
4900 N. Dixie
Odessa, TX  79761
Thursday, October 1, 2015
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762

Memorial Contributions

Susie's Closet
1701 C, Parkway Drive
Lubbock, TX  79403


Hope House Odessa
P.O. Box 891
Odessa, TX  79760


Sherwood Church of Christ Building Fund
4900 N. Dixie Blvd
Odessa, TX  79760