Wilma Massey Lile

Wilma Massey Lile, 94, of Jonesboro died Wednesday, August 24, 2016 peacefully surrounded by her loving girls. She was born on July 29, 1922 to Earnest and Irene Thompson Massey in Arbyrd, Mo. and moved to Jonesboro with her family when she was a teenager. Wilma worked in wartime Washington in the office of General Omar Bradley; she also worked during the early years of the veterans Administration in Little Rock and Dallas. She attended Arkansas State and graduated from the Jonesboro Business College. In her later years after raising her children, she helped open the first Casual Corner Store in Jonesboro. She became one of the top sales people in the southern United States. Wilma was married for 57 years to her husband, the late Dr. Robert W. Lile. Together they raised four daughters and enjoyed eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. One of the loveliest things about Wilma's life was that she had the sweetest of spirits. She was a wonderful encouraging mother and a devoted loving wife. She was always kind and optimistic even during the later part of her life after a stroke had left her impaired. She is survived by her daughters, Lee (Larry) Poindexter of Kennett, Robin (George) Kaloghirou of Jonesboro and Mary (Brad) Broadaway of Paragould. Her surviving siblings, Bonnie Maser and Lee Thompson Massey; grandchildren, Daniel (Tracy) and Joseph (Christiane) Childers, Maria (Russ) Furcron, Robert (Taylor) Kaloghirou, Anna (John) Koch, and Jack, Whit and Lily Broadaway and great-grandchildren, Dillon, Scarlett, Sydney, Nick and Nina Childers and Ava-Lile Furcron. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert W. Lile, her oldest daughter, Ann Lile Castle, parent's Earnest and Irene Massey and siblings, Christina Davis, Earnest (Bud) Massey, William (Bill) Massey, Sue Edmonson and Bobby Massey. Visitation will be 12 noon Friday, August 26, 2016 at Emerson Funeral Home with the service to follow at 1:00 pm with Jimmy Adcox officiating. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family would request memorials be sent to the American Red Cross designated for the Louisiana flood victims or a charity of their choice. Online Registry: www.emersonfuneralhome.com.