Lillian Gaskill

Lillian Gaskill, 88, of 234 West Park Dr., Morganton, NC died Saturday, January 16, 2010 at her residence. Born in Forsyth County, NC on October 11, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Carl Lanning and Delta Swicegood Lanning. Lil graduated from Salem College in 1941 at the age of 16 with a B.A. degree. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Boston College. Mrs. Gaskill was the retired Director for Social Security Disability Determination for the state of North Carolina. She served at the pleasure of both the Democratic and Republican Governors. While serving the state, she received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian award in NC.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was an ordained Elder as well as an Honorary Lifetime Member of Presbyterian Women.Lillian is survived by three children, Dr. Jim Gaskill and wife, Judy, of Nebo, NC, Lannie Simpson and husband, J.R., of Morganton, and Betsy Foulk and husband, Dwight, of Fayetteville, GA; seven grandchildren, Beth Bumpus of Asheville, NC, Daniel, Jim, Mary Helen, and Reid Simpson of Morganton, and Andy and Meggie Foulk of Fayetteville; great-grandchildren, Christopher and Amber Bumpus of Asheville; and two sisters, Helen Pitts and Vera Talton of Morganton.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Milton James Gaskill, Sr.A celebration of Lillian’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church with Reverends Michael Bailey and Adam Bowling officiating. Entombment will precede in the church columbarium. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 100 Silver Creek Rd., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.