Lillian Marie Stinnett

Lillian Marie Stinnett, aka "Grandma"
Lillian Marie, known lovingly as "Grandma" by many people in the Twin Cities, and "Aunt Lea" to "her people" in her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was born November 22, 1901, in Cleveland, Tennessee, to the proud parents of Andrew Johnson McNeely and Hattie Mae Oldham. She was one of 10 joyful children in her family, including Millie Myrtle McNeely, Fred Cecil McNeely, Dora Lee McNeely, James Hoyt McNeely, Talitha "Elizabeth" McNeely, Raymond "Wallace" McNeely, William Edward McNeely, and 3 wonderful sisters from her father's first marriage to Georgia Allison Cox, Disa Belle, Ida Lucretia, and Exie.

During her life, she played many key roles, most important to her being a loving and caring wife to Owen Emmett Stinnett, and mother to her 3 children, Gene Ernest, Ronald Floyd, and Barbara Dean, who were all in heaven to greet her as she passed through early in the morning on February 22, 2007.

Living with someone who's made it through a century is an amazing gift as they have much to share in their learnings through the years. When she was born, there were no cars, no planes, no radios, televisions, computers, yet, she was able to float through time and keep current without missing a beat, being able to Instant Message to her grandkids up to the end with help from her friends to see the keyboard. One of her favorite things to do was to watch the History Channel and correct it when they were wrong. Doing follow-up, we found she was correct most of the time!

Lillian, being 100% Irish, had a fierce sense of independence and mental strength, an undying passion for caring for others and a deep Christian belief in all people. She was there for anyone who needed assistance or simply a shoulder to lean on through the years. She passed through time with grace, a strong sense of humor, and much love. Her will to "be alive while I am alive" transcended into all she did, she was able to keep current and involved, which gave her a rich and full life until she passed peacefully in her sleep to start her new journey.

She leaves a long legacy of family, grandchildren and great grandchildren who were blessed to have her with us for so long, Connie Stinnett, (Gene's wife), and their 3 children, Robert Gene, Owen Ronald, and Valerie Marie, Valerie having 3 great grandchildren, Jarod, Alexander, and Geena Marie. Betty Stinnett VanDeMark, (Ronald's wife), and their 5 children, Barbara Dean, Debara Jean who has 2 great grandchildren, Ryan and Casey, Ronald Floyd, who has 3 great grand children, Cameron, Rylee, and Kayla, Sean Lee, and 3 great grandchildren, Ava, Shae, and Maximus, and Kevin Vaughn. Also remaining is her sister, Opal McNeely, and her 3 children, Patrica, Susan and Tanya, who have been her true hearts keeping her connected to her roots in Tennessee throughout the years!

Please join us in the celebration of Lillian's life in one of 2 locations:

Edina, Minnesota for casual visitation:
Washburn-McReavy, 5000 W. 50th & Hwy 100, (952)920-3996
Tuesday, February 27, 2007, 5:30PM-8:30PM

Cleveland, Tennessee for visitation, service & burial:
Fike Funeral Home, 2415 N. Ocoee Street, (423)472-1525
Saturday, March 3, 2007, 11AM-1PM Visitation, 1PM Services, All welcome to interment at Fort Hill in Cleveland, TN 37311.