Pawnee — Lily May Reynolds, 86, of Pawnee, Illinois, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025, at her home in Pawnee. She was born May 18, 1939, in Seligman, Missouri, the daughter of Virgil E. and Edith L. Jackson Hamblin. After being born in Missouri, Lily and her family moved to Stockton, California. When she was 4 years old at her mother's bedside, Lily asked Jesus into her heart. After losing her mother when she was 9 years old, Lily's father remarried a wonderful, godly woman named Gladys who became mom to Lily and her six siblings.

At 16 years old, Lily traveled the state of California with an evangelistic family and was their pianist. During that time, she met a young man who was a Marine stationed in San Diego. He attended one of the services where Lily was playing. He saw her at the piano and knew then and there that she was "the one." After never having a proper date, they corresponded through letters and phone calls. Phil asked her to marry him and at age 17, she boarded a train from Stockton, California, to Pawnee, Illinois, to marry Philip Reynolds on May 10, 1957, at Pawnee Assembly of God Church. They enjoyed 68 years of married life together. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Darlene Matthews; and two brothers, Maurice and Wesley Hamblin.

Lily taught herself the guitar and piano at her mother's bedside, and by age 11, she was playing for her home church in Stockton, California. Soon after marrying Phil, she became a pianist for Pawnee Assembly of God Church in Pawnee, Illinois. Through the years, she was active in many ministries with her church and community. She accompanied numerous soloists and played for various Pawnee community events. One of her greatest joys was spending time with elderly people and playing the piano at several nursing homes in the surrounding area. In 1990, Phil and Lily joined the Assemblies of God RV volunteer ministry. They spent 26 years during their retirement building churches all over the U.S. and South Africa.

She considered her greatest accomplishment being a wife to Phil and mom to her two daughters, as well as creating a wonderful godly home. She loved being a grandma to seven grandchildren and GiGi to seven great-grandchildren.

Lily is survived by her husband, Phil, of Pawnee; her two daughters, Janis L. (husband, Rev. David) Betzer of Pawnee and Annette L. (husband, Rev. George) Westlake of Kansas City, Missouri; two brothers, Bob Hamblin of Merced, California, and Harvey Hamblin of Stockton, California; one sister, Sharon (husband, Jim) Patsch, of Liberty, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Brittany McConnell of Burbank, California, Geo Westlake of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Brooke Garcia of Seattle, Washington, Austin Westlake of Springfield, Missouri, Daniel Betzer of Branson, Missouri, Lexi Bowering of Kansas City, Missouri, and Hope Betzer of Tallahassee, Florida; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Lily's family will meet family and friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Pawnee Assembly of God Church in Pawnee, with Rev. A.B. Bennett and Lily's sons-in-law Rev. David Betzer and Rev. George Westlake officiating. Burial will follow at Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pawnee Assembly of God Missions, 1001 Eighth St., Pawnee, IL 62558.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Lily Reynolds. Condolences may be expressed at www.curryfh.com.