Lulla Ellen (Landers) Hill

 

II Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Lulla Ellen Landers Holmes Hill of Charleston, TX beloved wife, mother, and nanny. She was known by many names, Lulu, Lulla Bell, Little Lulu and Ellen.

She was born on August 9, 1938 in the Reed Hospital, Cooper, Texas.  Her parents are William Jennings Bryan Landers and Ruby Faye Jackson Landers.  At birth, Lulla’s mother was gravely ill and Lulla was presumed dead.  In the process of saving Ruby, Lulla gasped for breath and we are so thankful for this life that was given.

During her first through sixth grade years, Lulla attended Enloe school.  Enloe consolidated with Cooper and from 1951-1956, she attended Cooper schools where she graduated with honors. In 1954, Lulla had her first date with Elmer Joe Holmes.  It was a double date and of course, they went roller skating.  Lulla carried her own personal pair of skates in the trunk of her car for many years.  She was always prepared for a skating adventure.

In 1955, Lulla accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at the Cooper Church of Christ where she was a long-time member.  On June 9, 1956, she married Elmer Joe Holmes and they spent the next 48 years together until his death in January 2005.  Throughout their married life, Elmer Joe and Lulla lived in Cooper, Commerce and Paris.  They had two children, Tony Jay and Jana Diann.

Lulla was a multi-talented homemaker for many years and her priority was to take care of her family.  Lulla’s many talents included crochet, knitting, embroidery, sewing just about anything, cooking and hosting numerous parties in her home.  She was also an avid 42 player.

As the children grew older, Lulla left the home for a part-time clerk position with Gaulden’s Pharmacy in downtown Commerce.  Her smile and friendly work ethic caught the attention of locals who asked her to take the manager position at the Chamber of Commerce in Commerce.  She accepted and remained at this post for four years.  She was known at the Chamber as a “5 foot 2-inch dynamo of action.”  Lulla made a lot of connections at the Chamber of Commerce and this led her to a career in Real Estate.  She left her post at the Chamber to become an associate of Jim Baron Reality.  Her real estate career includes a Broker position with Morris Partain Realty and later Century 21.  Real Estate was a job she truly enjoyed but Lulla gave it up to help take care of the grandchildren and to pursue her love of antiques.  In 1995 Lulla opened the doors of “Lulla’s Antiques”.

After Elmer Joe’s illness and death, Lulla sought companionship with family and friends.  Her church family was especially comforting.  L.C. Hill was among those in the church family who cared for her and their friendship bloomed into love.  L.C. and Lulla married on November 19, 2006.  They enjoyed gardening, mowing, cutting and bailing hay, burning brush piles, playing 42 and raising cattle.  These two were always working side by side and were rarely ever apart.

Lulla is known for investing her time in others.  She could be seen delivering her signature peach cobbler and taco soup to anyone in need.  Lulla (Nanny), made a huge impact on her grandchildren.  She often called them her “Honey Darlin’s” and her legacy continues in them.  Her wish for them would be to take up her torch and pass it on.

Lulla was preceded in death by her parents, William Jennings Bryan Landers and Ruby; sister, Bryan Ruth Landers Trent and husband Claudie Leon (Mike) Trent; brother, Wesley Earl Landers and wife Margie Landers; husband, Elmer Joe Holmes and son, Tony Jay Holmes.

Survivors include her husband, L.C. Hill and daughter, Jana Choate and husband Bill of Cooper.  Four grandchildren and spouses:  Jennifer and Jason Ricketson, Sulphur Springs, Shelley and Jarrett Willson, Rockwall, Jay and Valerie Holmes, Benton Louisiana, Jason and Mica Choate, Cooper. Stepson and spouse: Rennie and Candace Hill-Mann, Richland Springs.  Also, step grandchildren, Gunner, Ty and Berkley along with their spouses and children.  Also, survived by:  Calvin Hill, Dean and Margaret Eudy and Rick and Judy Petty and 18 great grandchildren.

Lulla’s last stop this side of Heaven was Birchwood Nursing and Rehab center in Cooper.  Prior to that, Wesley Oaks in Sulphur Springs.  Sincere thanks for the qualitycare given at each facility.

We ask that you make memorials to Oaklawn Cemetery Inc. C/O Marcia Lair at 1051 Logan Lane, Cooper, TX.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 am Friday July 31, 2026 at the Cooper Church of Christ with Shane Carrington and Noel Bailey officiating.  Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Church.

You may pay your respects online at www.deltafuneralhome.com