Lula Lavelle Miller McCreary, 90, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at her longtime residence in the Willis Heights area of Tupelo. Lavelle, a lovely lady all her life, was born in Prentiss County on February 12, 1927 to the late Dee Troy Miller and Vivian Thornton Miller. She graduated from New Site High School in l944 as Valedictorian of her Senior Class. She married William Clyde McCreary shortly thereafter and they moved to Tupelo in 1956 where they made their home until their deaths. A stylish lady of class, Lavelle had a career with Bell South Telephone which lasted 43 years. She started as a telephone operator and retired as a Toll Testboard Technician. A devoted employee, Lavelle was the first lady in Tupelo to transfer to what was formally a man’s job. She always dressed to the 9’s, loved ballroom dancing, keeping her yard to perfection, growing flowers especially roses. She and her husband enjoyed traveling until his death. At that point, she and her “rat pack” girlfriends continued to travel and enjoyed attending musical and entertainment events. They were always the life of the party. A people person, Lavelle was community minded and a precious soul to her family, many friends, her Harrisburg Baptist Church family and a credit to living a grand life. Lavelle loved the Lord and was devoted to prayer.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. David Smith and Bro. David Langerfeld officiating. Private family graveside services to follow at Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 PM-6PM Today (Monday) and from Noon-service time on Tuesday, with a meal provided all at Holland-Tupelo Chapel, which is honored to be serving their friends.
Lavelle leaves behind her family which she dearly loved; her daughters, Debbie McCreary-Brown of Tupelo and Tammy McCreary Ferguson and her husband, Simon of Spring, Texas. 2 grandchildren, Ryan Ferguson and Ben Brown(Kendra Johnson). One great grandchild, Bryson Charles Brown. Several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clyde and a brother, Arlon Miller.
Honorary pallbearers will be James Howard Robinson, Dr. Forrest Sheffield, Darrell Smith, Charles Crabb and the Joy Sunday School Class from Harrisburg Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS. 38801 or to the Autism Center of North Mississippi, 146 South Thomas St., Tupelo, MS. 38801.
