Lola Lile Earnest passed from this life March 29, 2013, to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born in Blanket, Texas, on December 15, 1909. She, along with her family, moved to Brownwood, Texas, when she was one year old, where she loved for 103 years. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, April 5, 2013 at Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early with Fred Lemmons officiating. Viewing will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday at Davis-Morris Funeral Home.
Her father, Welton Lile, along with his wife, Beulah, and their children moved to the old jail, where he was Deputy Sheriff and jailor.
Lola graduated from Brownwood High School in 1926, where she was captain of the Brownwood Lions’ girls’ basketball team.
Painting was one of her greatest loves. She began sketching with a pencil as a teenager. As soon as she could afford to buy oil paints, she began painting on canvas. Her sister Ona paid for her art lessons, until then, she was self-taught.
Painting gave her a sense of accomplishment, relaxed her, and brought joy to others. It also introduced her to her husband, Carl Earnest, who owned Earnest Frame Shop. Her last painting was done at age 92 in 2001.
Mrs. Earnest was a life-long member of Austin Avenue Church of Christ, where her parents were charter members.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Welton and Beulah Lile; her husband, Carl Earnest; sister, Ona Williams; brother-in-law, Dallas Williams; sister, Una Shafer; brother-in-law Marvin Shafer; sister, Mildred Covey; brother-in-law, Truman Covey; sister, Catherine Lile; brother, Robert Lile, and son-in- law, James Milstead; nephews, Ralph Williams and wife Gloria, and James Shafer; niece, Bobby Ritter and husband Ed Ritter.
She is survived by her daughter, Pat Milstead; grandchildren, Sharilyn Moses, Jim Milstead and wife Mary; great-grandchildren, Patti Harmann, Mary Moses, Kate Vein, and Grant Milstead; great-great grandsons, Zachary Henderson, and Bennett Vein; niece Marilyn Nickerson and husband, Luke Nickerson.
Mrs. Earnest’s philosophy of painting was best stated by Vincent Van Gogh, (1853-1870)….”and my aim in life is to paint pictures, as many, and as well as I can, then at the end of my life I hope to pass away, looking back , with love, and tender regret, thinking “oh the pictures I might have made.” Condolences for the family may be left at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com.