Knoxville - Peggy Corlew Lillard, age 79 passed away early Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at Little Creek Sanitarium in Knoxville. She was born April 19, 1931 in the Malesus community just outside of Jackson, Tennessee. She lived most of her life in Memphis, Tennessee, having moved to Knoxville two years ago. She was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Rubye Corlew. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Robert Lillard, Sr. She also leaves her six children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, of whom she was most proud. These are daughter Debbie Diddle and husband John of Knoxville; daughter Cindy Howell of Indianapolis; daughter Dr. Lisa Oglesby and husband Eric of Knoxville; daughter Kathy Lillard of Nashville; daughter Donna Lillard of Memphis; and son Dr. Robert Lillard, Jr. and wife Kathryn of Nashville. Her loving grandchildren are Dr. Wes Diddle and his wife Dr. Sabrina Guse of Boston; Walker Diddle and wife Meghan of Knoxville; Abby Diddle Flowers and husband Graydon of Clarksdale, MS; Alex Howell of Indianapolis; Connor Oglesby of Knoxville; Rachel Oglesby Chiappetta and husband Chip of Nashville; and Mark and Sarah Lillard of Nashville. Great-grandchildren are Murphy and Benton Diddle of Knoxville and Allie Harris and Gray Flowers of Clarksdale, MS. Peggy was a member of First Evangelical Church of Memphis and was a dedicated Christian and demonstrated it every day in the way she lived her life. She taught Sunday School for years, and volunteered at St. Peter’s Orphanage in Memphis. After years of being a loving and supportive mother, she pursued her dream of going to college. She graduated with a B.A. and a Master’s in Education from the University of Memphis. She then taught in the Memphis City Schools and briefly owned and operated her own personnel agency. Her love and dedication to God and her family will be cherished forever by her husband, children, and grandchildren. She will be most remembered by all as being the Lord’s good and faithful servant. The family thanks the staff of Little Creek for their love and care during her stay there. She will be honored by her family at a private service, and burial will be in Memphis, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2270 Sutherland Avenue, Suite 202, Knoxville, TN 37919.

Published in The Commercial Appeal on 4/1/2011.