Lilly Fields Beal

Lilly Fields Beal, 99, of Goldston, went home to her Lord and Savior on Friday, April 4, 2025 with her family by her side. She was a faithful member of Cornerstone Baptist Church. She loved her children and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had an important part in raising and watching over just about all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren through parts of their childhoods.

Lilly was born in Chatham County on January 21, 1926, to Thomas N. Fields and Pearl Tillman Fields. She was a homemaker and helped her husband in the poultry business for many years. She had a green thumb and grew so many beautiful flowers. She was a fervent gardener until she could no longer do the work, but would still watch and offer advice. She was always willing to make biscuits and sausage gravy for her grandchildren. While she was able, she ended her day with a few games of solitare and a chapter from her Bible. She is preceded in death by her parents and step-mother, Ollie Darnell Fields; her husband, Melvin “Huch” Beal; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Elmer Southern; son-in-law, James Lewis “Foss” Homesley; grandson, James “Jamie” Binkley; brothers, Eugene, Warren and William Fields; and sisters, Beatrice Gunter, Virginia Gunter, and Inez McFarling.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Ann Homesley, Betty “Bet” Blakeley and husband, Pat, Hope Stevenson; and son, Melvin Beal Jr. and wife, Shelia all of Goldston; and grandchildren, Jennifer Layton, Niki Homesley, Missy Daniel, Dana Sell, Stacey O’Hare, Rebecca Culberson, Sara Lee, Tiffany Martin, Samantha Riggans, and Christina Stevenson; and 20 great-grandchildren, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. The family is so thankful for the loving care that Becky Oldham and so many from Westfield Rehabilitation and Health Center helped provide.

A visitation will be held Monday, April 7, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Smith and Buckner Funeral Home. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 396 NC Hwy 42; with Rev. Arlen Johnson and Rev. Patrick Daniel officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Beal family.

Online Condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com