Lillie Eaton

(From Parker Mortuary)

The legacy of Lillie Deane Eaton will always be remembered by her faith and faithfulness to the Lord. Born at home on January 11, 1928, to Lester and Bessie Hutchings in Fairview, Missouri, she entered into her heavenly life on August 11, 2026, at 5:15 pm. Her life of faith and family was the bedrock of her legacy. Becoming a war bride at the age of 17, she married the love of her life, Walter "Bud" Eaton, and they loved and served together for the next 63 years.

Her prayer for her four children was to serve the Lord, and she takes full responsibility for each of their service in ministry. Dr. Timothy Eaton (Martha) (Norman, Oklahoma), Pastor, Christian Educator, college president, president of TRACS, which accredits Christian Colleges in the United States. Claudia Eaton (Joplin) serves faithfully at Generations Church her entire adult life. Jan Showers (Joplin) decided to take a detour before she couldn't resist the Lord's call and now serves for the ministry of Words of Grace & Truth with her sister, but her greatest ministry has been taking care of her mother for the past six years. Marta Easton-Greenman (Marshall), (Plano, Texas) is the founder of the Words of Grace & Truth ministry, which teaches God's Word to the nations and teaches others to do the same.

Lillie understood that you are never too old to start something new! After the birth of her youngest child, she returned to school and became a high school teacher. She taught at Parkwood and Joplin High School for 20 years before she took early retirement to travel with her beloved husband Bud, and Ruth and Carl Hart. During their great adventures, they traveled to 48 states.

She never considered herself an artist but created some of the most beautiful quilts in America. She was a founding and lifetime member of the Joplin Area Town and Country Quilters. She also taught quilting lessons in Joplin, the George Washington Carver National Park, Romania, and Albania. The widowed women of Albania learned a valuable life skill from Lillie to help support their families.

Lillie loved genealogy. Along with her brother John, they traced the genealogy of the Hutchings family and the Eaton family. This led to her 30-year membership with the Joplin Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). During this time, she served in various capacities; she helped new recruits trace their genealogy, which was required for membership.

Lillie leaves a legacy of 5 generations of love and faith that will be carried on by her 4 children, 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Lillie is preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Bessie Hutchings; her husband, Walter "Bud" Eaton; and her 3 brothers, John, Claud, and Max Hutchings.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Words of Grace & Truth Ministries, PO Box 860223, Plano, TX 75086

Visitation
Saturday, August 15, 2026
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Generations Free Will Baptist Church
2301 S. Connecticut Ave
Joplin, MO 64804

Funeral Service
Saturday, August 15, 2026
10:00AM - 11:00AM
Generations Free Will Baptist Church
2301 S. Connecticut Ave
Joplin, MO 64804