Lillie Lee Janie Salmons

Lillie Lee Janie Salmons, 86, of Van Buren, Ark., died Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, while living at the home of two of her daughters. She was born Dec. 29, 1925, to Rosie Lee Thompson Bailey and Yemma Bailey in Blytheville. She lived most of her life in Blytheville where she retired as a civilian employee from the Blytheville Air Force Base. She attended Gospel Lighthouse Church where she was the oldest living member, having attended there since 1937.

She enjoyed her church and especially loved being part of the J.O.Y group. She passed along this love for God and church to her children. She was a talented cook and seamstress and took great joy in sharing these gifts with others. Her family and church meant the world to her, and she will be greatly missed.

She loved camping and instilled this love in all of her children who have carried on the tradition with their own children. Her children's memories of her will never be complete without numerous happy scenes shared while camping at Norfork Lake.

Another of her favorite pastimes in her retirement years was playing Liverpool rummy with her children and grandchildren. She was always up for a game around the dining room table at her home or wherever the chance arose. But the one thing that could bring a smile from ear to ear, especially in her later years, was a visit from her great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis Henry Salmons; one brother, James Bailey; one grandson, Jeremy Neiel Rochier; and two sons-in-law, Larry Phillip Bloodworth and Bruce Bossarte.

Lillie leaves one brother, D.L. Bailey of Jonesboro;

Five daughters, Lillian Goad and her husband, Keith, of Centerton, Patricia Rochier and her husband, Marvin, of Van Buren, Phillis Bloodworth of Van Buren, Barbara Bossarte of Van Buren, and Brenda Trout and her husband, Geary, of Farmington, Ark.; and

Fifteen grandchildren;

Twenty-six great-grandchildren; and

Three sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at Cobb Funeral Home in Blytheville with funeral services at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Dogwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lillie's name to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis.