Lillian Hicks Dillard, age 79, of Murphy, NC passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. Mrs. Dillard was born in Ducktown, TN on January 9, 1943. She was a member of the Simonds Chapel Baptist Church. Mrs. Dillard loved flowers and to garden. She also loved working with her hands including crafts and sewing. She was proud to have the most important job in the world, a full-time homemaker, allowing her to love and be a caregiver to her precious family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer Lee Hicks and Lillian Gertrude Jones Hicks; her husband, Robert Albert “Sam” Dillard; two children; and her siblings, Lynn Pate, Sidney L. Hicks, Troy Hicks, Betty R. Allen, and Rebecca Womble.

Mrs. Dillard is survived by her children, Jennifer (Bruce) Murphy of Violet, NC, Robert Sam (Connie) Dillard of Richmond, KY, and Melissa Dillard of Murphy, NC;

Siblings, Lunia Ray Hicks of Belton, TX, Minnie Mashburn, T.J. Hicks, and Melvin Hicks, all of Farner, TN; grandchildren, Neal (Tina) Murphy, Jodi (Daniel) Hall, Jason (Ally) Murphy, Samuel Dillard, Sawyer (Sarah) Dillard, Noah (Katelyn) Dillard, and Jonah Dillard; and great grandchildren, Hudson Murphy, Lawson Murphy, Evee Murphy, Taylee Hall, Riley Hall, Danner Hall, Colt Murphy, Asher Murphy, Paislee Dillard, Avery Dillard, and Haidyn Dillard.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, November 27, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. from Simonds Chapel Baptist Church with Pastor Allan Harris officiating. Music will be provided by Ally Murphy and The Golden Family. Pallbearers will be the grandchildren, Neal Murphy, Jason Murphy, Jodi Hall, Samuel Dillard, Sawyer Dillard, Noah Dillard, and Jonah Dillard. Honorary pallbearers will be great grandchildren, Hudson Murphy, Lawson Murphy, Evee Murphy, Taylee Hall, Riley Hall, Danner Hall, Colt Murphy, Asher Murphy, Paislee Dillard, Avery Dillard, and Haidyn Dillard. Interment will follow in Simonds Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Joey Buchanan officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Copperhill in charge of arrangements.