Lilla Gillentine, 85 / Sept. 12, 1924 – March 31, 2010

Published 8:59 am Thursday, April 22, 2010

Lilla Belle Gillentine, 85, of Niles died Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca, S.C.

She was born Sept. 12, 1924 in Warren County, Tenn. She was a loyal wife, incredible mother, fantastic aunt and “the best” grandmother. She played high school basketball, riveted airplane wings during World War II, owned Classic Beauty Salon, drove school bus for almost 20 years and operated a home for mentally challenged adults.

Her passions were quilting, flowers and watching sports. She loved being outdoors. She helped everyone she could.  She told God every night that she was doing the best she could with what he’d given her to work with!

She is preceded in death by her parents, Col. Savage Bratcher and Sallie Mae Owen Bratcher; her husband, Jamison Brewer Gillentine; her sisters, Nannie Lee Stewart, Ramona Turberville and Helon Ritchey; and brother, Owen Bratcher.

She is survived by her amazing sister, Elizabeth Miller, 94, of South Lyon, Mich.; an honorary daughter/her niece, Marlene Molica, of Niles; daughters, Jamie Rainelle Nelson (Kenneth), of Seneca, S.C. and Sheri Jaye Alami (Sam), of Salt Lake City, Utah; and grandchildren, Amanda Dean (Jason), Brandon Nelson, Beau Nelson and Kyle Jay Alami.

A memorial service and burial will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to onlinememorials@imemorial.com.