Funeral services for Lila McCarty will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Point Assembly of God Church with Bro. Louis Bartett officiating. Interment will follow at Wilhite Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Monday, December 20, 2021 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe.

Lila was a godly woman and loving wife, mother and grandmother who loved Jesus and her family. She left this world too soon at the age of 65.

Lila was born on March 1st, 1956, the youngest of 10 siblings to C L “Jack” and Doris Cook in Ouachita Parish. At the time of her passing, Lila was the last surviving child of all her siblings. In her youth and during her teenage years she developed her servant heart while caring for her ailing father.

Lila fell in love with Sam McCarty at the tender age of 16, and on March 10, 1972, they were married. It was a marriage that was to stand the test of time and she went on to spend the rest of her life as a devoted and loving wife. If you had to choose aspects of Lila’s life that would best describe her, her marriage would certainly be one; and her faithful devotion to Sam and their love and respect for each other lasted to the end.

Lila and Sam didn’t wait long to start a family of four children. Joe, Robyn, Paul, and Julie were her pride and joy, as she cared deeply about family and leaving a legacy. Throughout her life she invested her time and love in her children, often traveling to be with them and always loving them.  The dedication to leave a legacy was extended when Lila and Sam had their first grandchild, Hannah. Lila’s grandchildren were the jewels in her matronly crown, and much laughter and love was shared as her family further expanded with her remaining grandchildren: Jessie, Sam, Paulo, Jackson, Charlie, Emeren, Elijah, and Eliyah; and great-grandchild Jude. Lila spent quality time with her grandchildren often, teaching her cooking skills to them in the kitchen, taking them to the movies, and making up bedtime stories.

Lila was a beloved member of Point Assembly of God Church and she cared deeply for her church leaders and church family. She lived for Jesus and was confident in her faith. Her belief in Jesus and the eternity she was going to spend with Him was unshakable. She was once asked to draw what she thought death looked like; her drawing summed up her faith;  a sketch of herself , smiling and happy, climbing stairs to heaven.

Lila was a blessing to any place she went, whether it was baking for hospice patients or traveling with her family and friends. She loved the ocean, and could be found on any vacation sitting on the beach or deck, peacefully listening to the waves.

Lila is preceded in death by her parents C L “Jack” Cook, and Doris Brandon Cook; brothers and sisters Jackie Cook, Tommy Cook, Donnie Cook, Freddie Cook, Willie Cook, Bobby Cook, Steven Cook, Arlene Platt, and Mary Ellen Taylor.

She is survived by husband Sam McCarty; children Joseph Lee McCarty, Robyn McCarty (Jerry Simpson), Paul (Emelita)  McCarty, and Julie (Andrew) Higginbotham; grandchildren Hannah McCarty, Jessie Simpson, Sam Higginbotham, Paolo McCarty, Jackson Higginbotham, Charlie Higginbotham, Emeren McCarty, Elijah McCarty, Eliyah McCarty, great- grandson Jude Free; and many loving nephews and nieces.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Higginbotham, Sam Higginbotham, William Cook, Richard Cook, Josh Boykin, and Jefferey Trichell. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Simpson, Dale Hogan, Dwayne Jordan, Cary Ziegler, Sr., Michael McCarty, Jason Benson and Lee Benson.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

West Monroe, LA