Lily Stubblefield

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Lily May (Yahr) Stubblefield, age 87 of Joplin, passed away at The Communities of Wildwood Ranch at 2:16 AM on Friday, April 6, 2018.

Lily was born in Chalk Butte, SD on June 16, 1930 to the union of Arthur Albert Yahr and Violet Long. She grew up in South Dakota before moving to Tulsa, OK in her teenage years. After spending one year in Tulsa, the family relocated to Miller, MO, where she graduated high school. Lily worked as a line worker at the Pillsbury Factory, and spent most of her working career in the housekeeping department at Freeman Hospital. Her creative style led her to experiment with making crafts, dolls, jewelry, leather belts, and anything in the kitchen, especially cakes. She was an avid nature lover from animals to flowers.

Lily was united in marriage with Robert Lee Stubblefield in Monte Ne, AR on June 19, 1951. Together, they had three daughters, and he preceded her in death in 1975.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Violet; one brother, Bobby Yahr; and one sister, Mildred Barker.

Survivors include her three daughters, Donna Stidham (husband, Don) of Neosho, MO; Dorothy Poe of Joplin, MO; and Janie Robertson (husband, Mike) of Mount Vernon, MO; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildern; and two great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Lily was entrusted to Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena for cremation. A memorial graveside service will be held at a later date. Pastor Ben Bainbridge will officiate. Service arrangements will be posted at this link when they become available.


Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.