TEXICO, Ill. — Lillie Florence Arnett, 95, of Texico, passed away at 9:35 p.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2023, in Mt. Vernon.
She was born August 28, 1928, in Jefferson County, Illinois, the twelfth of thirteen children, to Alva Jake and Bessie (Whitson) Beal. On July 20, 1946, in Mt. Vernon, in a ceremony officiated by Rev. M. L. Baker, she married Harry Edward Arnett, and he preceded her in death on October 1, 2005.
Lillie was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and was a 2009 Jefferson County Senior Saint. She worked as a cook for Field School, as well as working at Austin’s Restaurant, and Hawkins Orchard. She also ran the cook shack for King City Saddle Club for years, for Dixico Ruritan Club. She donated blood, faithfully, for many years.
Lillie is survived by three daughters, Peggy Arnett of Kirkwood, Missouri, Barbara Arnett of Martin, Tennessee, and Connie Simmons and husband Jerry of Dix; two sons, Jack Arnett and wife Donna of Bluford, and Bobby Arnett and special friend Linda Robinson of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren, Jean Ann Little of Dresden, Tennessee, Duane Elliston and wife Teresa of Brookport, Illinois, Regina Draper and husband Mike of Geff, Illinois, Justin Coffman of Martin, Tennessee, Dustin Arnett and special friend Ashley Dyan of Belleville, Illinois, Josh Simmons of Texico, Jared Simmons and wife Michelle of Columbia, Illinois, Cory Arnett and wife Katie of Fenton, Missouri, Jessie Arnett of Mt. Vernon, and Jake David Arnett and wife Jessie Noel of Mt. Vernon; great-grandchildren, Skyler, Hagen, and Lily Little of Dresden, Tennessee, Joseph McClain and special friend Jade, Ashley Azbell, and Addi Elliston of Brookport, Illinois, Klayton Draper and special friend Sarah Hulbert of Springfield, Missouri, Kloe Draper of Geff, Illinois, D.J., Pamela, and Drake Coffman of Martin, Tennessee, Taylor Arnett of Belleville, Alex Simmons of Texico, Mia Simmons and fiancée Tim Wilt, Jr. of Mt. Vernon, Ben and Eli Simmons of Columbia, Illinois, Ayda and Estes Arnett of Fenton, Missouri, Kasen Arnett of Mt. Vernon, and Ellie Arnett of Mt. Vernon; great-great-granddaughter, Elodie Wilt of Mt. Vernon; special niece, Judy VonBurg and husband Steve of Dix; and daughter-in-law, Susan Arnett of Mt. Vernon.
In addition to her husband, Harry Arnett, she was preceded in death by her son, Jake Arnett; great-grandchildren, Draper triplets; nine brothers, Othello, John, Robert, Oscar, George, Mort, Buck, Fred, and Jim Beal; three sisters, Isabelle Champ, Maude Chandler, and Bessie Elliott; her brothers-and-sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Arnett will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, September 29, 2023, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Don Rector officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. to noon, Friday, September 29, 2023, at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to HOOAH Deer Hunt for Heroes, Pleasant Hill Cemetery, or the American Cancer Society, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.