98-year-old Lillian Leota Holtzclaw of Carmi, passed away on Saturday, December 14, at Meadowood Nursing and Rehabilitation in Grayville, Illinois.
Leota, as she preferred to be called, was born February 8, 1921, in Herald’s Prairie Township, White County, Illinois, the daughter of Jasper and Daisy (Talkington) Greer. She married Freeman Holtzclaw on January 7, 1937, and he preceded her in death in the year 1993. She was a care giver and had worked at White County Nursing Home, Skilled Care, and Wabash Christian Village. She loved her work and was very passionate about her people that were in her care.
She was a member of the First Apostolic Church in New Haven, Illinois. When her husband, Freeman Holtzclaw, passed away, she took his place on the church board.
She was an avid reader and loved to do embroidery with paints until her eyesight left her. She loved to work with her roses and in her yard. While living on the farm, she always had a big garden and her chickens. She loved stage plays and horses, and enjoyed a good horse race now and then.
Survivors include three daughters, Linda (Jim) Glover of Grayville, Glenda (Roger) Rowe of New Baden, Illinois, Kathy (Chris) Taddy of Two Rivers, Wisconsin; 8 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; son Jerry; infant daughter Lela Fern; and brother Cecil Edmond Greer.
Visitation and funeral are Thursday, December 19, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi. Visitation is 12:30 – 2:00 pm, and funeral is at 2:00 pm. Burial is in White County Memorial Gardens near Carmi.