BRADENTON, FL - Lillian Pearl Minix Liss Hardy Gerken passed away July 14, 2013 in Bradenton, FL. Born September 7, 1923, in Brazonia County, Texas, to Lillie Mae and Noah D. Minix. Graduated from West High School, then attended Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Waco, Texas, where she received an RN degree, then received a B.S. degree in Health Care Administration from St. Joseph's College in Maine. Lillian married Stanley Liss and had three children, Carol Ann Liss Olson, Rebecca Sue Liss who passed at age 3 and Robert Stanley Liss. She later married Jack G. Hardy, who passed in 1988. In 2004, she married William "Bill" Gerken and he passed in 2010.

Lillian was a member of Jasper Springs Baptist Church and Ardsley Park Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia. She was a Sunday School teacher, the Director for Woman's Mission Union, choir member and Director of Vacation Bible School.

Before retiring in 1988, Lillian worked for 30 years at the following: Chandler Hospital, Georgia Regional Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital. Once retired, she volunteered at St. Joseph's Hospital and as local coordinator for long-term care at AARP. She stayed active in her church and traveled. During her career and retirement, she was also active in Altrusa International and held many leadership positions. Lillian attended several Altrusa conferences, including those in New Zealand and in Ireland. She was also honored to be invited to visit China with a group of nurses from Savannah. During their trip, they visited hospitals and met with hospital personnel. She walked on the Great Wall of China and saw the Terracotta Warriors.

Lillian spent two years in Pensacola with her daughter and son-in-law before moving back to Savannah. In Pensacola, she attended Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, joined a bridge group and volunteered at Sacred Heart Hospital. After Bill's passing, she moved to Bradenton, Florida, to live with her son and daughter-in-law until her passing.

Lillian was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many. She will be missed by her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers Weldon, Warren and JT Minix and her loving daughter Rebecca Sue. She is survived by her devoted children, daughter Carol Ann Jim Olson and Robert Terri Liss; her loving grandchildren, Jeanna Don Fry Olson, Kelly Bill Grubbs and Robert Phillip Liss Monica; and adorable great-grandchildren, Ava and Addison Grubbs, Valentina and Lucas Liss; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2013, at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory at Ardsley Park Baptist Church in Savannah, Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton or Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Building Fund in Pensacola.

Mother, you are loved and will be missed beyond words by all of us. Until we meet again, we love you.

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