Larry Joe Lilly entered into the presence of the Lord on July 3, 2025, after a brief illness. He was born December 17, 1942, to the late Joe Lilly and Jessee (Brown) Lilly. After meeting at West Virginia University and a whirlwind romance, Larry married his best friend and sweetheart, Dottie Worrell Lilly. They have been together for 61 years and are blessed with three children – Doreen, Bruce, and Sharon.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from West Virginia University, Larry and Dottie moved to Boston for Larry to get his Master’s in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1965, he joined Eastman Kodak in Kingsport, TN. In 1979, Eastman transferred Larry, Dottie, and their children to Batesville, where he worked until his retirement in 1999. Moving to Batesville was the best family decision Larry and Dottie ever made, as Batesville is a wonderful place to raise a family.
In the 26 years following his retirement, Larry and Dottie enjoyed annual trips to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and to Myrtle Beach, SC, as well as traveling extensively with their extended family, working in the yard, and swimming every day in the summer.
Larry’s joys were his three children – Doreen Lilly Griffith (Eric) of Southlake, TX, Bruce Lilly (Jennifer) of Baton Rouge, LA, and Sharon Lilly Jenkins (Derick) of Melbourne, FL – and six grandchildren – Nathan, Hannah, Rebecca, Logan, Dawson, and Braden. He showed his love with swimming pool antics, teaching them about the Bible, rhyming poems and funny sayings, and celebrating their successes, both big and small.
Larry leaves behind his treasured siblings Vee Anne, Charlie (Kathy), and Kerry; brothers-in-law Dennis (Carolyn), Darrell (Pam), and Don; and was preceded in death by his sister Doreen.
As a member of Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church since 1979, Larry served as a Sunday School teacher and church moderator. He also served on the Batesville Utility Commission and the Batesville Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the WVU Academy of Chemical Engineers.
The family will hold a private celebration of Larry’s life. In lieu of flowers, one of Larry’s last requests was that any donations be made to either Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church, 2645 White Dr., Batesville, AR 72501 or Batesville Help and Hope, 2622 E. Main St., Batesville, AR 72501.
