Thelma Lee Dills

Thelma Lee Moses Dills 1938-2017


Thelma Lee (Moses) Dills former long time owner of Main Street Cafe in Englewood, Tennessee has passed away. She was 79. Thelma played many roles in her life. She was first a Daughter. She was born on August 31,1938 to Grover and Ida (Mason) Moses. She was the oldest of their children. She was then a Sister. She helped her parents as a caregiver and caretaker for her younger brothers and sisters. She had a lot of responsibility at a young age, but this helped form her character as a hard working and responsible woman.
She was next a Child of God. She attended church at a young age at Shady Grove Baptist Church and there, accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour. Her faith in Christ got her through many difficult times in her life and she is now rejoicing around God's throne.
As she grew older, she met the love of her life. In June of 1957, she met James Lester (J.L.) Dills at Conasauga Baptist Church. They courted for a few months before marrying on February 27, 1958. And then she took on the new role of wife. They were married for 59 years and 9 months. But they have shared 60 years together. Full of ups and downs, but always tackling everything together. In February of the next year, she took on the new role of Mother. She went on to have a total of 4 sons.
Life moved on and they decided to strike out and try to provide a better life for their family. They moved to the Chicago, Illinois area, finally settling for many years in Maywood, Illinois and then in Bolingbrook, Illinois. In the mid 1980's she moved back to East Tennessee to be near her family. She worked hard her whole life, trying to provide for her family and to try to enjoy the fruits of her labor. She and J.L. bought a home in Tellico Plains and settled there for many years. Before settling a finally time in Englewood, Tennessee.
She also played the role of friend. If you counted Thelma as a friend, you have just lost a great gift, because she truly loved, provided for and was loyal as a friend. She never met a stranger and if she did, they weren't a stranger for long, they left as friends. She would give anyone anything they needed, sometimes to her own detriment, but she would say that God would take care of it.
Later in her life, she took on the role of business owner. She bought and ran Main Street Cafe. The “Restaurant” as she affectionately called it, brought her so much joy. She got to meet so many people, cooked the country food that she grew up making for her family and provided a stage for customers to be entertained by her quick wit and humor when bantering back and forth with J.L. They ran the restaurant until the Fall of 2014. She had been in declining health since the Summer 2015. She passed peacefully at home on the evening of December 2, 2017 with family at her side.
She is preceded in death by her parents Grover and Ida (Mason) Moses, an infant that she lost by miscarriage, Son Danny Dills, Brothers William (Bill) Moses and Ray Moses. Mother-in-law, Donnie (Gordon) Dills,, Brothers-in-law and (Sister-in-law) Carl (Joanna) Dills and Roy Dills.
Left to grieve her passing and cherish her memory: Husband, J.L. Dills, Sons & Daughters-in-law: David & Judy Dills, Tellico Plains, TN, Tommy & Linda Dills, Glendale Heights, IL, Joe & Kim Dills, Englewood, TN. Grandchildren & Spouses:
Elizabeth (Dills) & Jon Quinn, Bloomingdale, IL, Robyn & Aaron Guerrasio, Naperville, IL Jeremiah & Nikki Dills, Athens, TN, Brittany (Dills) & Dakota Kelley, Tellico Plains, TN and James Dills, Athens, TN. Great Grandchildren: Makenzie Upton, Collin & Dylan Cunningham, Leo & Karrington Dills, Nahla, Izabella & Zuri Kelley and Olivia Quinn. Mothers of her grandchildren: Amy Rogers Dills, Julie Chapel, and Angie Withers. Brothers and Sisters and their spouses: Henry & Barb Moses, Madisonville, TN, Wanda & Nay Rogers, Susie & Jimmy Barton, and Bonnie & Ray Robinson all of Tellico Plains, Tennessee. Sisters- in-law Carol Moses and Betty Moses, also of Tellico. Many nieces and nephews.
In following Thelma's request, there will be no formal visitation. Any family that would like to, are asked to gather at Serenity Chapel in Etowah, Tennessee on Wednesday December 6,2017 at 1:30 to say their final good byes. All friends and family are welcomed to attend the graveside service at 2:30 at Consauga Cemetery in Etowah. Anyone that would like to sign the book can stop by the funeral home during business hours. The Rev. Mike Jackson will officiate. Honorary Pallbear: David Dills
Pallbearers are: Tommy Dills, Joe Dills, Jeremiah Dills, James Dills, Jonathan Quinn and Shawn Romine. The family would like to thank Dr. Tim Collins for his loving care of Mrs. Thelma over the last few years and Amedisys Hospice of Athens.

You may send your online condolences to www.serenityfunerals.com

Serenity Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Etowah is in charge of the arrangements.