Lola M. Gilmore

Lola Margaret Gilmore (nee McDaniel) was born September 10th in Mexia, Texas to Ann L. Lane and Proncell Medlock. She was delivered by her maternal grandmother, Mary McDaniel who served as a midwife in the community.

She accepted Christ at a young age at Union Baptist Church in Mexia, Texas under the leadership of the late Rev. Whitfield and constantly marveled that the church is still currently standing.

She attended grammar school in Mexia, TX and after moving to Dallas, Texas; she attended Dunbar High School whose mascot was a dragon. As a cheerleader, she loved chanting the school song, Rooster on the Fence.

During her teenage years, she worked as a waitress and in her own words, “I was good too”.  She loved sewing and it was something she taught herself which opened the doors for her to work at Kroehler Furniture in Naperville, IL as a Seamstress. She then went on to work at Anchor Brush in Aurora, IL for several years. Her last employer was Personal Products (a division of Johnson & Johnson) and there she worked as a Modess Operator and Union Steward. She retired in 1995 after 20 years of faithful service.

Lola moved to Joliet, Illinois in the 1950s. She joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1953 under the leadership of Pastor J.W. Hill and continued to serve faithfully under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton Sr. Always having a love for music, she sang with the Voices of Zion for many years.  During that time, she also was a member of the Royal Harmonettes Ensemble. She joined True Tabernacle Christian Fellowship Church in 2001 under the leadership of Apostle George R. Kimbrough. She later joined Victory Cathedral Worship Center in 2011 under the leadership of Pastor Smokie Norful. 

She married Robert L. Gilmore on March 26, 1977 in Joliet, Illinois.

She enjoyed being a Sunday School Teacher, attending Bible Study, preparing delicious meals, fishing, bowling, playing the piano, as well as, playing cards.

Health challenges necessitated her move to Casa Grande, AZ in May of 2021 and upon arrival she united with Gate of Heaven Ministries under watch care, under the leadership of Pastor Haywood Price Jr., but forever claimed her allegiance as a Victory Walker! 

She is preceded in death by her father, Proncell Medlock; mother, Ann L. Lane; maternal grandparents, Eugene McDaniel Sr. and Mary McDaniel; paternal grandparents, John Medlock and Clara Medlock; sister, Billie Ruth Wilder and one grandson, Anthony Byrd.

She answered the call to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 in Casa Grande, Arizona as she advised us earlier that she was being beckoned.

She leaves in the Almighty hands of God; her dedicated and devoted husband, Robert L. Gilmore; five beloved children, Gwenda Williams of Bolingbrook, IL, Bonita (Apostle George) Kimbrough of Plainfield, IL, Lamarris Creal, Deidre (Terry Sr.) Morris, both of Joliet, IL and Patricia Hill of Maricopa, AZ; three step-children, Robert Gilmore Jr., Terese Cooper and Dela Cooper; 12 cherished grandchildren, Deondrick Creal, Cynthia Strong, Lavarlon (Christie) Creal, Lamarris George, D. Jamel (Threesa) Kimbrough, Schaje’ (Natalie) Kimbrough, Demond Gildon Sr., Derrick (Denise) Gildon, Ikedrick (Tamara) Williams, Arerial Tanner-Johnson, Simone Jones and Taylor Hill; many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; devoted nieces, Frankie (Dr. Jesse) Mackey and Annabelle (John) Jones; numerous relatives and dear friends.

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