Lilmar Gatlin Taylor-Williams

With her daughter and best friend by her side, Lilmar Gatlin Taylor-Williams passed away peacefully at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC on January 12, 2017. Lilmar was born July 31, 1940 in New Hanover County to Marion Hatcher Gatlin and Gladys Frye Gatlin. Granddaughter of Lillian Oliver, maternal grandmother and Halie Leon Gatlin, Sr. and Margaret Privette Gatlin, paternal grandparents, Lilmar Sue, as she was called, grew up in Raeford, NC. She graduated from Hoke County High School in 1957 and Meredith College in 1961, with a BA in Education. She is survived by a daughter Trent Taylor Polk, granddaughter Lane Polk of Sneads Ferry, NC, brother, Hal Gatlin of San Antonio, TX, and step-son Christopher Williams, of Annapolis, MD. Lilmars thirty plus year teaching career encompassed elementary school positions in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina, and Alexandria City Schools, in Virginia, where she received numerous awards for her excellence in teaching and was honored as a Teacher of the Year. While there, she represented her local and national teachers organizations. She served as an active docent with the elephants at the National Zoo in Washington, DC and for many years, was called the "Turtle Lady" as an educational specialist with the Karen Beasley Turtle Hospital in Surf City. An inspiring story teller, Lilmars schedule always included an annual trip to the National Story Telling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. After her retirement, she and her late husband, Richard Williams, moved to their much loved North Carolina coast. During this time Lilmars creativity took shape in the form of composition and she authored a weekly historical column, "Through the Rear View Mirror" for her hometown newspaper, The News Journal. For many years she was a guardian ad litem for New Hanover County and helped numerous foster children in the area. While living in Wilmington, NC she served as president of the Cape Fear Garden Club. She was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A memorial service, led by Rev. Tom Lee, will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Raeford, NC followed with interment in the Raeford Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lilmar Gatlin Taylor-Williams, please visit our floral store.