Lillian Lois Hurt-Banks-Cooley

“ Home is where your story begins”…Lillian Lois Hurt was welcomed to this world by her parents William “Bill” Joseph Hurt and Bertha Loretta Blake Hurt at their family farm (home) in Timber, Missouri on April 19, 1938. Their country doctor, Franklin Hyde, delivered Lillian as the final addition, making her the youngest and the 11 ^th born, weighing a reported five pounds and having brown hair and blue eyes.

Lillian and her family of origin grew up at the “Old Home Place”, a farm house and acreage located near Barn Fork Creek. This is the place that formed the family values and created strong work ethic according to Lillian. Her mother was not formally educated and never worked away from home unless to complete the work of canning vegetables for Reverend Vincent and his wife Ruth Bucher, pastors at Shannondale Church. Her mother taught Lillian to love flowers, canning and sewing. Her father “daddy” as he was known, rode a horse to deliver the mail and work in the timber at Bunker, MO. He prided himself to be a strong Baptist and “die-hard” democrat. He passed on his love for nature, his strong enjoyment of Christmas and respect for any and all he met. “It’s not how big the house is, it’s how happy the home is.”

Lillian attended elementary at Cornell School No. 5 with all eight grades taught in one room. Today a tribute to that school sits on the “Old Home Place” atop a hillside that Randy and Ricky Smith oversee preserving the family and community heritage. “Home: a place your feet may leave but your heart will always be.”

Growing up, Lillian enjoyed having several siblings. Woodrow was known as the good natured one while Vernon lovingly teased everyone around. Her sister Icelene was quiet and tenderhearted; while Alma was always the baker. Glenna chose to become a school teacher, Wilma entered the world of banking and sister Gladys loved the outdoors and was known by all to be a sure shot with her .22 rifle. Home: “For many it is a place you grow up preparing to leave; yet grow old wanting to get back to.”

Eventually Lillian would attend high school at Eminence, MO. It was during that time that she met her lifelong friend Hazel Turner as well as learn about falling in love. First it was John Houston Banks she married on November 7, 1953. It was at this time Lillian stated that she knew she wanted nothing more than to be a mother and raise the children God would bless her with. Gary Woodow was her firstborn that arrived on March 5, 1954 followed by Kerry Lyle on December 12, 1955 then Brenda Darlene on February 14, 1957 and lastly William Myron “Billy” on January 2, 1960. “The best memories are home made.”

The marriage did not continue long after Billy was born and Lillian was now a single mother of four. During that difficult season, Lillian made a public profession of faith and was baptized in the Jacks Fork River. “Come Home… Jesus told the story of the Prodigal son to make the gospel simple—Never mind what you’ve done, you are loved and accepted…Just come home.”

Soon she would meet her brother Vernon’s friend Utah Wilson Cooley. He worked at Boyles Drilling Company and Lillian would wash and iron his clothing to make extra money. Eventually they married on April 28, 1962 and in time would welcome Wilson Shane August 2, 1966; Jeffery Shawn April 13, 1971 and lastly Melinda Michelle on January 17, 1973. “Children will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, but the home happier.”

Lillian had various jobs in her work history officially starting with Angelica Uniform Company as a seamstress where she made many lifetime friends. Next would include her time with the Shannon County Health Department where she came to meet many elderly patients and always had a loving or funny story to share of what they taught her. Before retirement in 1993, she worked at Bay Creek Manufacturing making school athletic uniforms that would evoke her love of the Eminence school system and led her to frequent ball games and events hosted by them. Regardless of the job, she reported it was not uncommon when a sudden need would arise to “take up a collection or pass the hat right there on the job rather than asking a church or social agency for help” because that’s just what you did. For Lillian, “There was not a lot of separation between work and home life.”

In retirement years, Lillian appreciated spending time with friends Hazel Turner (which automatically included all of Hazel’s family); Pam Clemons; Margaret Ard; Charlotte Norton among a host of others. It was not uncommon for Lillian to send cards, letters and make phone calls to whoever she thought was struggling, needed a laugh or hear a funny story, or that had endured a loss. Lillian also loved spending time with her family and especially her many grandchildren and great grandchildren no matter how they joined the family whether by biology, foster care or adoption. She remained active by tending to her flowers and caring for her farm animals until the very end. “There’s no place like home.”

Loss is a word Lillian knew well. On May 20, 1973 her 16 year old daughter Brenda Darlene Banks passed away near Alley Springs, MO as a result of a car accident. Lillian often explained her belief that losing a child is the most devastating experience a parent can face. In the years prior to Lillian’s “Going Home to Heaven” she lost Gary, Kerry and Billy to death as well. So it would come as no surprise just prior to her passing that she would state, “I am tired and ready to go. I need to see Mother and Daddy… all my siblings are there, my best friends and much of Eminence, and now more than ½ of my kids.. It’s time to go home.” And she did just that July 12, 2019.

Regarding any floral arrangements sent in Lillian's memory, the family respectfully requests that you contact Abby at Consider The Lilies Florist at 417-260-2869.

Regarding the luncheon for family and friends, food may be dropped off on Saturday, July 27th until 12:45 PM at the Assembly of God Church on main street in Eminence, MO.