Lula Mae Hillis

Lula Mae Hillis, 98, of St. Louis, and a former resident of Poplar Bluff died Friday, April 2, 2010 at University Forest Manor In University City.

Mrs. Hillis was born June 29, 1911 in Birdeye, Ark. She was a member of Brown Chapel AME Church, where she formerly served as vice president of the Stewardess Board, and was a member of the Missionary Board as well as a Sunday School teacher in the primary department. Mrs. Hillis had received the honor as ""Mother of the Church"", and other certificates and commendations from Brown Chapel for outstanding service to her church and community. A homemaker, she enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, sewing, gardening and interior decorating.

She was married to Arthur Greenwood who preceded her in death. She later married Albert Hillis. He preceded her in death on July 22, 1975.

Survivors include her children: Leon Greenwood and wife, Lisa, Mildred Brown, Ruby Wilform, Aileen Wynne and Beatrice Richie and husband, Glenn, all of St. Louis, Doris Barksdale of Chicago, Harold Hillis and wife Ernestine of Tyronza, Ark., Marva Joy Hillis of Las Vegas, Nev. and Vera Arnold of Poplar Bluff; brother, Isiah Pope of Berkley, Calif.; sister-in-law, Hazel Mills of Poplar Bluff; 50 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives, friends and church family.

Her parents, Wash and Lela (Wynne) Aldridge, daughter, Wanda Williams, son, Albert Glass, sisters, Donna Cravens and Ethel McKinney and brothers, Ralph Aldridge and W. C. Aldridge also preceded Mrs. Hillis in death.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Brown Chapel AME Church, 417 Oak St., in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at the Church with the Rev. Alvin L. Smith officiating and the Rev. James Boler and the Rev. L. E. Pegues assisting. Burial will be at the City Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.