Donna Marcellene Greene Lilly

It is with great sadness that our family shares the passing of Donna Marcellene Greene Lilly on August 20, 2026, at the age of 89 in McCordsville, Indiana. We give thanks for her life, her faithfulness to God, and the ways she loved us and taught us to love each other. She suffered from dementia and died from complications of a fall.

Donna was born on October 18, 1936 to Willis Sheridan Greene and Lettie Marie Whitt Greene. She grew up in Mullens, WV with grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins living just down the street. She loved music, learning piano at an early age and playing in the high school band. She had a wonderful childhood filled with love of family and the church. Singing hymns and gospel songs around the piano at Grandma and Grandpa’s house was a common scene. As a young girl Donna gave her life to Christ, always appreciating her rich Christian heritage. People knew they could count on her to pray for them.

Donna met her future husband, Arnold Lee Lilly, in a likely place - at church. He sung tenor and was a great addition around the old upright. Donna and Arnold were married for almost 70 years, making a home for many years in Roanoke, Virginia and Princeton, West Virginia. After retirement from full-time work, they settled in Roanoke, Virginia until Arnold’s death in 2021. Donna made a home in Indiana then with her children, grands and greatgrandchildren until her death.

Teaching piano for many years, Donna loved her students and was a serious student herself, continuing lessons from a Master Teacher. She was a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Later she worked full-time as a dental assistant and then in her 70’s she found meaning as an assistant to the funeral director of Oakey’s East Chapel Funeral Service in Roanoke.

As a young girl Donna dreamed of being a homemaker, a mother. She was an extraordinary one! She showed her family her deep love for them in countless ways. Donna was a superb baker, a gourmet cook. One of her favorite activities was baking biscuits with her grand and great grandchildren. She was a creative woman who was an excellent seamstress, making clothes, draperies, curtains and lots of Barbie clothes! She made and decorated beautiful cakes for all occasions, often surprising friends and family with one of her creations.

She gave of her time also serving God in churches she attended. She was a Sunday School teacher and department superintendent in Salem Baptist, teacher and President of the Women of the Church of God in Princeton. She organized dinners, visited shut-ins, and took meals to those who needed help and encouragement at the First Church of God, Roanoke. Donna loved entertaining and was a great hostess who enjoyed preparing dinners, parties and reunions. She loved her traveling adventures with friends and family. She was a quiet, reserved person whose hands-on approach to giving touched the lives of so many who will remember her legacy of love.

Donna is survived by her two children; Janet Wanner (Charles) of McCordsville, Indiana, Lee Lilly (Nancy) of Westfield, Indiana; her six grandchildren Jarrett Wanner (Becca), JT Wanner (Steve), Heather Love, Lauren Anthony (Ryan), Brock Lilly and Ryan Lilly; and her six great grandchildren, Belle Wanner, Max Wanner, James Love, Evelyn Love, Olivia Anthony and Claire Anthony.

She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Joette Greene Rinehart and Gitti Greene; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding Donna in death is her husband, her parents Willis and Marie Greene, her brothers James Willis Greene and Sheridan Lee Greene, her parents-in-law Luther Jennings and Lillie Mae Farley Lilly and her brothers and sisters-in-law and their spouses Ethel Lilly Lusk (Eugene), Junior Lilly (Naomi), Archie Lilly (Gladys), and Sophia Lilly Stidam (Glenn).

Donna was a devoted Christian, a faithful wife and cherished mother, treasured family and friend. She lived a life of humility, gentleness and generosity. She loved deeply, always taking care of and serving others before herself. Her family will miss her every day and treasure her legacy of love.

There are two private times of remembrances for Donna, one in Indiana and another in Roanoke at a later time. Her daughter, Rev. Janet Lilly Wanner and her husband, Rev. Charles G. Wanner will welcome family in Roanoke and officiate a time to honor her mother.