Lillian Mae Briggs

Lillian Mae (Smith) Briggs, 89, passed on to her eternal home on Monday, January 13, 2020 at Wesbury United Methodist Community where she had been a resident for the last four years. She was born on August 16 (her father’s birthday) in 1930. She was the oldest of four daughters born to Arthur and Edna (Yocum) Smith. She attended school at Wayland-East Mead, Meadville First District, Meadville High School and graduated from Randolph High School in 1948. She was a cheerleader her Junior and Senior years, Vice President and Salutatorian of her class. On June 7, 1950 she married the boy next door, Merle Briggs. They shared 48 years of marriage before his death on April 10, 1999. They raised five children, including a son, who had been one of more than 100 foster children who were cared for by Lillian and Merle over a span of 20 years. Their children are Vicki (Bill) Bradshaw, Becky (Joel) Abbey, Kevin Briggs (deceased), Linda Parello (deceased) and Damien Briggs. Lillian was blessed with nine grandchildren Curtis Bradshaw, Adam (Meggan) Bradshaw, Jason (Samantha) Abbey, Brandon Abbey and his special friend Michelle, Heather (Nick) Skuban, Travis Abbey, Nathan (Jennie) Parello, Dan Parello and Brianna (Tim) Collins, 15 great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. Additional survivors are her sisters, Helen Waid, Elaine Pratt and Shirley Humes, a foster daughter Patty Lee and a son-in-law Mike Parello. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws Carlton and Mattie Briggs, a son, a daughter and brothers and sisters-in-law, Muff Waid, Bill Pratt, Frank Humes, Frank and Coral (Briggs) Boor, Ray and Betty (Briggs) Wetsell and Barbara (Briggs) Yanc. Lillian’s first job was milking cows for a neighbor. During World War II when her father was serving in the Navy, she moved with her mother and sisters from the farm to Meadville. While attending high school in Meadville, Lillian worked at the former Spencer Hospital. They returned to the farm when his service ended and after graduation from Randolph, she worked in the office of G.C. Murphy Co. She also worked at Montgomery Ward, Penncrest Day Care Center and as a nurse aide at Crawford County Home (now Crawford County Care Center). Lillian’s last place of employment was at Blooming Valley Lumber Co which she and Merle purchased around 1964. It was known as Briggs’ Hardware when Lillian closed the store in 1999. Lillian enjoyed collecting all forms of trivia including poems, newspaper articles, words of wisdom and recipes. She started and hosted a monthly lunch the “Usters” group in Blooming Valley which included local neighbors who “used to” do this or that. She enjoyed reading her Bible, solving the daily cryptoquote, word searches and puzzles. Over the years Lillian’s community service included being the first woman to serve on the Penncrest School Board (six years), a Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, Christian Heart Crusaders, and a supporter/promoter of early local recycling efforts. For 34 years she and Merle were daily weather observers for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers at Woodcock Creek Lake and received a commendation from the Corp for their service of providing weather data. She was instrumental in starting the Randolph-East Mead Alumni reunion which celebrated its 22nd gathering in 2019. Lillian was selected to carry an Olympic torch in the torch relay across the United States for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA. She carried the torch in Northeast, PA on June 11, 1996. She was one of only 16 individuals from across our country selected from nominations submitted in a contest sponsored by USA Today and was selected based on her many years and variety of community service. Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ryan M. Warren, 544 Chestnut St., Meadville, and Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Blooming Valley United Methodist Church, 24740 State St., Meadville. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Joong Wook Koe and Rev. Christine Rogan officiating. A private burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens will take place with immediate family at a later date. The family suggests memorials be made to Blooming Valley UMC, 24740 State Street, Meadville, PA 16335. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation for the loving care provided by the staff at Wesbury United Methodist Community. Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Lillian's Book of Memories at www.warrenfh.com