Mrs. Lillie R. Gary loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great friend to many passed away on December 15, 2012. She was born on July 21, 1942 in Winston-Salem, NC to the late Theodore Demore and Frances Butler.

She was preceded in death by her son, Tommy L. Gary, Jr.; and her brother, Joseph "Chuck" Butler.

She is survived by her husband, Tommy L. Gary, Sr.; children, Vanessa Long, Pamela Gary, Angela Gary, Crystal (Tony) Melvin, Beverly (Leroy) Simpson, Deborah Gary, and Michael (Teresa) Gary; twenty-one grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; siblings, James (Vickie) Hairston of VA, Larry (Carolyn) Butler of MI, Janice Campbell and Timothy Butler of the city; and a host of many nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Lillie's life will be held at 1:00pm Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 12noon until 1:00pm on Thursday at the Church. There will be no public viewing of Mrs. Gary.

The family wishes to thank Wake Forest Baptist Health, Hospice and Palliative Care of Winston-Salem, and Russell Funeral Home.