Reba Lile

Reba Lile, 92, of Russellville, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2012, surrounded by her loving family.

Reba Alice Guthrie was born to Ed and Ethel Guthrie in Russellville, AR on July 22, 1919. The sixth of eight children, Reba was born on her daddy's birthday. She married Joe Lile of Russellville on December 24, 1936. The Liles enjoyed fifty-two years of married life.

Reba was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, James Guthrie and Eldon Guthrie; and four sisters, Hazel Guthrie, Hilah Guthrie, Rebecca Bethel and Ruth Wright.

Survivors include Reba's sister, Clara Ragsdale, her three sons, Zane Lile and wife Mary; Harold Lile and wife Charlene; Dale Lile and wife Mary; eight grandchildren, Richelle Justice, Dean Lile, Rhonda Reynaud, Jimmy Lile, Trella Sparks, Joe Lile, Josephine Casey and John McGowan; fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Her great-grandchildren fondly called her "Ebie", the nickname her sons first used as little boys trying to pronounce the name "Reba".

Reba was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star, Russellville Chapter 505. She went to school at the Norristown School. She once competed in the Pope County Spelling Bee. Reba knew the value of hard work. During WWII, she worked as a gas welder, welding big shell casings in an ammunition plant. In 1946, she worked alongside her husband to build their home in Russellville. She also held jobs at an egg hatchery and the International Shoe Factory in Russellville. In 1959, she earned her Cosmetology License at Elsie's Beauty College in Clarksville. She operated her own beauty shop in Russellville until she retired in 1984. Reba loved gardening. She grew the most amazing flowers and people often stopped at her house to ask if they could have some. She grew a large vegetable garden every year. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, canning and oil painting. Her paintings, mostly landscapes and flowers, graced her home and those of her family and friends. She tirelessly served her family, making sure the needs of the elderly were met. Her greatest joy was having friends and family in her home for a meal. Reba's biscuits and chocolate gravy were enjoyed by several generations of her family. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, she prepared dressing with sage grown in her garden. She would often reminisce about how many people had sat around that table over the years.

She would say to just leave the dishes; she would do them later. She'd rather share time talking in the living room and clean up the mess herself when we'd gone. She enjoyed life, as we enjoyed sharing it with her. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral will be at 10:00AM, Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist. Reverend Eddie Rogers and Reverend Don Irwin will officiate. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville, AR by Humphrey Funeral Service. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Friday, at the

funeral home. Internet obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.

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