Rita Joanne Lillard, was born to Kenneth and Janice (Stackhouse) Coker on August 1, 1956, in Hoisington, KS.
Rita married David LaMonte Lillard on March 03, 1974. They raised their two children, LaMonte & Virginia “Jenni”, in her home town of Hoisington, KS, where she worked in the nursing home rising in the ranks until she earned her Associates degree of Nursing from Barton County Community College and began work as a Registered Nurse. They later moved to Houston, TX, where David and his brother George started Discovery Systems Computer Company, and Rita worked as the primary book keeper, as well as continuing to work as a nurse. David was the love of her life, married for 47 years, they shared a strong Christian faith and they enjoyed many activities together, including traveling, going to restaurants, and attending the Airshow. Above all Rita whole heartedly loved her family, especially her two children and four grandchildren, and of course her animals. Her grandchildren loved her hugs, and the adventures they went on, even if it was just a trip out for ice cream. They loved her Easter baskets, and blowing bubbles together, and her cooking, especially her ham, baked beans, and deviled eggs.
She passed away on June 20, 2021, at 9:25 a.m. at the age of 64 being murdered, along with her daughter.
She is survived by her husband, David Lillard of the home; her son, LaMonte Lillard (Crystal) Katy, TX; her grandchildren, Anja, John, Clara, and Emma Lillard; her brothers, Keith Coker, Hoisington, KS, and Richard Coker (Deanna) Hutchinson, KS; her sisters, Cheryl Coker, Hutchinson, KS, and Nancy Shives (Ronnie), Hoisington, KS; a brother-in-law, George Lillard (Jeanette) Houston, TX; her sisters-in-law, Deloise Paris, Greenville, TX, and Sylvia Mauldin, Ft. Worth, TX; and many beloved nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Virginia Lillard; her parent; a brother, Gerald Coker; and brothers-in-law, Gerald Lillard, and Pete Paris.
Virginia “Jenni” Lillian Lillard, was born to David & Rita (Coker) Lillard on October 16, 1981, in Great Bend, KS.
She grew up in Hoisington, KS, before her family moved to Houston, TX, where she graduated high school. She had a strong love of animals from a very young age, so after high school she attended Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver. She worked as a Veterinary Technician for many years, before deciding that she also wanted to “be the boss” so she decided to get her Bachelor of Administration from Strayer University where she graduated Suma Cum Laude! Jenni devoted her life’s work to helping animals wherever she went, and was known as “The Cat Whisperer.” She was a loving friend, daughter, sister and Aunt, and her nieces and nephew adored her. She had a strong Christian faith, which showed not only in her deep love of her family and animals, but also in how she cared for the owners of her patients. She was as soft hearted as she was strong minded, and those that loved her admired her for her fierceness, honesty, and compassion.
She passed away on June 20, 2021, at 9:25 a.m. at the age of 39 being murdered, along with her mother.
She is survived by her father, David Lillard, Houston, TX; a brother, LaMonte Lillard (Crystal) Katy, TX; her nieces, Anja, Clara, and Emma Lillard; a nephew, John Lillard; her uncles, George Lillard (Jeanette) Houston, TX, Richard Coker (Deanna) Hutchinson, KS, and Keith Coker, Hoisington, KS; her aunts, Deloise Paris, Greenville, TX, Sylvia Mauldin, Ft. Worth, TX, Cheryl Coker, Hutchinson, KS, and Nancy Shives (Ronnie), Hoisington, KS; and many beloved cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Rita Joanne Lillard; her grandparents, Kenneth & Janice Coker and George P Lillard II, & Evora Jean Smith; and her uncles, Gerald Coker, Gerald Lillard, and Pete Paris.
Cremation has taken place and the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 9, 2021, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main St., Hoisington, KS 67544. Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., July 10, 2021 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Pastor Chris Lehew presiding. Ashes will be inurned at Claflin Cemetery, Claflin, KS. Memorials may be given to the Hoisington Veterinary Hospital Stray Animal Fund, in the name of Rita & Virginia “Jenni” Lillard, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.