Obituaries

Kathleen Orr Lillis Cole of Sherman passed away Thursday, May 11th at the Homestead of Sherman at the age of 101. Born August 6, 1915 to Thomas and Dora Orr in Luella, Texas. Kathleen grew up on a farm in Luella, along with her 8 brothers and sisters. She enjoyed talking about her childhood days and all those great times they had; as well as all the pranks that were played on one another. She always talked about how the family made do with what they had at the time. They all had such a positive outlook on life and this was reflected in her life as well. In 1936 Kathleen married Joe Lillis. Together they had 3 children, Joe Jr., Judy Kay, and Jim. Joe worked for Quaker Oats Co. as a salesman and the family moved from Sherman in 1949 to Schulenburg, TX. Later Joe and family were transferred to Lafayette, La. Joe passed away in 1958. Kathleen and the children moved back to their home in Sherman. She was only 43 years old. Kathleen endured the challenges that were ahead and managed to build a new life for her children and herself. She worked a short time at Price’s Department Store in Sherman and then took a position as hostess and cashier at McGraw’s Restaurant in Sherman (a position that she held until its closing in the late 70’s). Kathleen was very outgoing and loved to pick and joke with everyone. She never met a stranger and knew many people in Sherman. Kathleen was a member of Sherman’s Business and Professional Women’s Association and also served on St. Mary’s Altar Society. In 1980, Kathleen married her high school sweetheart, Raymond Cole . Together they enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends and relatives. Raymond passed away in 1989 after suffering a stroke and later heart failure. Kathleen continued to live alone at her home in West Sherman until 2013 when she decided to make the move to Traditions Assisted Living and Memory Care in Sherman. Kathleen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-great grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Dora Orr; her husbands, Joe Lillis and Raymond Cole, daughter Judy Kay Gajan and grandson John Lillis. Siblings: Thomas (Snap) Orr, Pearl Gattis, Opal Higgins, Verda Cooper, Choice (Pete) Orr, Rosamand (Brodie)Ponder, Billie Hameister, and Bobbie Orr. Stepsons; Larry Cole, Michael Cole and Stephen Cole. Surviving are sons Joe Lillis, Jr. and wife Sheila of Wichita Fallls, TX., Jim Lillis and wife Jan of Sherman; son-in-law Francis Gajan of Tulsa, Ok., grandchildren; Lance Lillis and wife Debbie of Wichita Falls, TX, Greg Lillis and wife Yong Sin of Wichita Falls, TX, Richard Gajan and wife Sheila of Stillwater, Okla., Kevin Gajan and wife Leah of Broken Arrow, Okla., Jason Gajan and wife Paige of Kansas City, Mo., Jeff Lillis and wife Keri of Sherman and Garrett Lillis and wife Stacy of Colleyville, TX. She is also survived by 13 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Landrum and Dr. Bonilla for their years of care, the staff at Traditions Senior Living and Memory Care, the Homestead of Sherman as well as Heart to Heart Hospice. A family graveside service was held at 11:30am Saturday, May 13 th at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sherman and was officiated by Father Antonio Aureaus of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home in Sherman. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or to Heart to Heart Hospice, 600 E. Taylor St., #3005, Sherman, TX 75090. An online registry can be signed at www.dannelfuneralhome.com