Nellie Mae Wright Dillow

Nellie Mae Wright Dillow, 82, of Herrin, and formerly of Anna, died on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, at Memorial Hospital in Shiloh.

She was born on May 2, 1934, in Makanda, the daughter of Audie and Vesta Miller Wright.

She married George Edward Dillow on Nov. 29, 1953, in Anna. He preceded her in death on Aug. 25, 2007.

She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, full of life and enjoyed homemaking and cooking. She loved entertaining friends and making homemade ice cream on the cistern rock.

Christmas was her most favorite time of the year, enjoying the excitement of Jesus’ birth and the festivities surrounding it.

She was a medical secretary/administrative assistant her entire life, working at the state hospital and Dr. Rader’s office. After moving to Herrin in 1974, she worked at Bethesda Cancer Center and the Carbondale Clinic.

Mr. Dillow took a U.S. Postal Service position in Dupo for a few years and she worked at St. Louis University Hospital and Group Health Plan. They returned to Herrin in 1989, when Mr. Dillow retired from the Postal Service.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Georgena (Robin) Ottolini of Oakville; two sisters, Ethelene Lyerla of Anna and Ramona Hays of Herrin; one brother and sister-in-law, Gene (Mary Lou) Wright of Anna; three sisters-in-law, Deloris Landreth of Jonesboro, Norma Jean Conant of Anna and Gerry Dillow of Ava; as well as many nieces, nephews and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George Dillow; an infant sister, Carol Lee Wright; brothers-in-law, Harold and Leon Dillow, Collin Lyerla, Hank Hays, Floyd Landreth, Virgil Wiggs and Ellis Dillow; and sisters-in-law Irene Dillow and Genevieve Wiggs.

Funeral services for Mrs. Dillow were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with R.W. McAlister officiating. Interment was in the Ebenezer Hall Cemetery in Lick Creek.

Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice with the spirit of Christmas for those less fortunate.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.