Doris DeFoor Kirkpatrick Lillard, 85 of Huntsville, passed away on November 7, 2022.
She is survived by her sons, Michael Kirkpatrick, Stephen Kirkpatrick (Brenda); sister, Era Mae DeFoor Martin; grandchildren, Katie List (Nathan), Kelley Stolze (Kenny), Wes Kirkpatrick (Leah), Stephanie Zumbach (Bryan); great grandchildren, Levi, Gwendolyn, Eden, Joanie, and Loretta List, Isla, Leo, and Olive Stolze, Walter and Isaac Zumbach.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, George E. Lillard; father, H.C. DeFoor; mother, Carrie Kidd DeFoor; brothers, Eldon DeFoor, Kermit DeFoor; sisters, L.V. DeFoor Cagle, Verna Lee DeFoor Jacks, and Nettie Fae DeFoor Kilpatrick.
Doris was born in Double Springs Alabama during the Great Depression. Her dad once told his grandson that there wasn’t much cash money at this time of her life because the banks had all failed. However, they never wanted for food growing up on a farm. She was youngest of seven children. She grew up in a strong Christian Church of Christ family. She began her education at the DeFoor School. Her family donated the land for the school. After graduating from Haleyville High School, class of 1955, she eventually became a legal librarian for the Army located in Huntsville Alabama where she worked for nearly 40 years.
Retired at age of 63, she enjoyed traveling with family and friends all over the United States and Europe. Her four Grandchildren arrived on the scene beginning in 1987 Katie, Kelley, Wes, and Stephanie. George and Doris reveled in their role as grandparents. One day she was feeding them cookies before a meal, and her son said: “Mother don’t give them sweets before the meal.” She took him aside and told him: “It is my job to make sure the grandchildren have fond memories of me and intend to do whatever it takes for that to happen. In the end she accomplished exactly what she sat out to do.
A few years later 10 great grandchildren arrived, and Doris accepted the same challenge: that they remember her fondly. They always wanted to visit or talk to Nanny on Facetime when they couldn’t be there in person.
She passed away after an extended battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and care givers that looked after her during this difficult period. Especially to Hospice of North Alabama who cared for her in her last 3 weeks. In the end, she had a relatively pain free and peaceful death something Doris prayed for.
Visitation will be Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Berryhill funeral Home From 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Services will be Sunday, November 13, 2022 at Berryhill funeral Home at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery.
