On Saturday, October 5^th, 2013, a beautiful sunny fall day, Lucille Lemons celebrated her 100^th birthday at the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Sinks Grove.  One hundred thirty-six attended the event, some traveling from Florida, Missouri, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia.  She received over one hundred birthday cards and letters. 

The reception was given by her children; Tom Lemons and Doris Ann Taylor and husband Fred.  Also attending were three of her four grandchildren.  Shawn Lemons, Chad Taylor and wife Betsy, and Casey Napier and husband Jason.  Seven of her eight great-grandchildren were present, Thomas, Maggie, and Max Lemons, Korey Lemons, Grayson and Gabrielle Taylor, and Lilly Napier.

Freda Bostic made and decorated the five-tiered birthday cake.  She and her husband Rick, CEOS members Phyllis Baker, Sandy Parsons, Monica Jakielo and Margery Pence and friends Barbara Holesapple and Connie Copeland assisted with the reception.

The Monroe Garden Club planted flowers at the front of the Union Courthouse in her honor.  Friends of the Second Creek (FOTSC) dedicated it’s latest book, “Monitor, Pickaway and Sinks Grove Remembered”  Volume I in her honor and The Bowyer-Dixon-Dehart-Taylor Reunion booklet was also dedicated to her.

Lucille received greetings from Congressman Nick Joe Rahall and Senator John D. Rockefeller IV,  US President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama, WVVA TV and Willard Scott from the NBC Today Show.

Hattie Lucille Bowyer was born on October 4, 1913, at her home at Wolf Creek, the only child of Phillip McClellan and Bettie Ann Whanger Bowyer.  She attended Rocky Point Academy and graduated from Union High School in 1934.  She was married to Thomas Elmer Lemons from 1938 until his death in 1973.  Their first child, Betty Pearl, was born in 1939 and passed away in 1960. 

When asked what she thought about being one hundred years old, she said, “It just slipped up on me.”   With her sharp mind, youthful looks, and positive attitude, she appreciates each day as a blessing.

 

On November 9, 2013, Lucille passed away at the age of 100 and one month.

                                                 The Obituary of Lucille Lemons

 Hattie Lucille Bowyer Lemons passed away on November 9, 2013, at the age of 100 years and one month, at her home in Sinks Grove, West Virginia. 

Lucille was born on October 4, 1913, at Wolf Creek, WV, the only child of Phillip McClellan and Bettie Ann Whanger Bowyer.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Elmer Lemons, in 1973, and their eldest child, Betty Pearl Lemons McGuire in 1960.

She is survived by her two children: Thomas Elmer Lemons, Jr., of Fairlea, and Doris Ann Taylor and husband, Fred Lewis Taylor, II, of Sinks Grove;

Four grandchildren:  Travis Shawn Lemons of Ronceverte, Russel Dean Lemons of White Sulphur Springs, Chad Lewis Taylor and wife, Betsy, of Philippi, WV, and Casey Lane Napier and husband, Jason, of Barboursville, WV.

Eight great-grandchildren:Korey Steven Lemons of Lewisburg, Thomas Matthew, Treva Magnolia “Maggie”, and Travis Maxwell Lemons, of Ronceverte, Safron Lemons of Richmond, Virginia, Grayson Lewis and Gabrielle Lynne Taylor, of Philippi, Lilly SarahBeth Napier of Barboursville

Sister-in law: Mayo Lemons of Pickaway

Niece: Linda Lemons Walker, and husband Dr. Clay Walker, of Gainesville, Florida,

Nephew: Gary Lemons, and wife Betty, of Pickaway, WV.

Lucille dedicated her life to serving others.  She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 122, for 77 years.  She was very active in the Sinks Grove Farm Women (CEOS) having been a charter member and president, and held county, area, and state offices.

She served on the Monroe County Community Service Board (CASE) for ten years, was a member of the Monroe Historical Society, The Friends of Second Creek Board, Monroe Outreach Ministry, and Senior Citizens Board.  She was also a charter member of the Monroe Garden Club.

Lucille was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church since 1931, past elder and deacon, Sunday School teacher, and officer in the Women of the Church and Circle.

For twenty-two years she was employed as a sales clerk at Leggett Department Store in Lewisburg.  She loved to garden and arrange flowers.  She was a hairdresser for people in the community for many years.

Lucille was known for her kind and caring personality throughout her life.

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service.  A celebration of Lucille’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Sinks Grove.  Burial will be at the New Lebanon Cemetery.  Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Dexter Taylor and Pastor James Hylton.

A memorial service by the Order of the Eastern Star #122 will be held at 10:30 a.m.

Pallbearers will be Shawn Lemons, Thomas Lemons, Joel LaRue, Korey Lemons, Gary Lemons, and Harold Fitzwater.

The family requests that memorial gifts be donated to the Order of the Eastern Star or the Monroe Historical Society.  

Arrangements were made by Groves Funeral Home, Union, West Virginia.

By   Doris Ann Lemons Taylor