Mildred Lawing Obituary

Mildred Lilley Lawing

October 24, 1931 -

July 18, 2025

GREENVILLE - Mildred Lilley Lawing, 93, of Greeneville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully Friday morning surrounded by her family and loved ones. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mildred's legacy is one of compassion, strength, and enduring love. She was born October 24, 1931, to the late Albert and Dona Lilley in Washington County, TN. Mildred was a 1950 graduate of Jonesborough High School. In 1953, she completed her nursing education at Johnson City Memorial Hospital, which was one of the last diploma registered nurse classes of that institution. She went on to serve her community as a dedicated nurse for more than 40 years. Her career included being a charge nurse, supervisor nurse, and OBGYN nurse at Greeneville Hospital. She concluded her nursing career at Greene Valley Development Center as head nurse in Wilson Hall until her retirement in 1993. Her gentle hands and kind heart brought comfort to countless patients over the decades.

She was a founding member of Tusculum Baptist Church in 1959 with her husband, Hugh, who served as music director. They returned to First Baptist in 1977 where she was a member of the Dorcas Sunday School Class and the Women on Mission group.

Mildred was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Hugh A. Lawing, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and partnership. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Jimmy Lilly, an infant daughter, Amy, a grandson, Forest Williams, and a great granddaughter, Lauren Grace Williams. She is survived by her daughter Ann (Mark) Williams and her son, Daniel (Julie) Lawing both of Greeneville. Her grandchildren brought great joy to her life: Chase (Erica) Williams of Knoxville, Chad (Anne) Kinley of Las Vegas, Erin (Dustin) Click of Greeneville, Dylan (Bailee) Lawing of Maryville, Kirsten Lawing of Nashville, and Rebecca (Andy) Park of Irving, Texas. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Sam Williams of Knoxville; Lilly and William Click of Greeneville; and Asheton and Kinley Lawing of Maryville, and several nieces and nephews. We want to express heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to our dear friend and mom's wonderful caregiver of the past four years, Rhonda Paxton. We also sincerely appreciate her private sitters and the caregivers in Memory Care at Brookdale Assisted Living.

The family will receive friends from 12pm – 2pm Friday, July 25, 2025, at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home with the service to follow at Doughty-Stevens Chapel. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will include Chase Williams, Chad Kinley, Dylan Lawing, Dustin Click, Andy Park, and Sam Williams.

Mildred's life was defined by her unwavering devotion to her family, her faith, and her profession. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. Donations can be made in her memory to the First Baptist Church Building Fund.