Obituary for Lydia Gills
Lydia “Belle” Cauley Gills of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the age of 82.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Cauley, and her brothers, George William, Robert, and Carl Cauley.
Belle was the co-owner of Minute Muffler Shop for over 45 years. She loved to go to work and talk with all the customers. Even though she was retired, she continued to go to work each day. Belle raised her family in the shop and adopted many other children along the way. She was “Mama Belle” to everyone and never met a stranger.
Belle spent her life trying to make sure everyone was taken care of. She enjoyed going to yard sales every Saturday and spending time with family. Her newest favorite pastime was spending time with her great-grandsons. She loved holding Connor and playing with Colter. Her other favorite pastime was feeding all the food off her plate to her dog, Anna Belle, and taking naps with her cat, Clara Belle.
She leaves behind her husband of 56 years, Todd Gills; her son, Todd Gills II and his wife, Kelly; her daughter, Crystal Gills Fernatt and her husband, Timmy; her grandchildren, Chad Gills and his wife, Caitlin, Tabitha Gills, and Kadence Fernatt; her great-grandchildren, Colter and Connor Gills; her sister, Ruth Flowers; her nieces, Michelle Granger, Melissa Epperly, Tammie Bowdel, and Carolyn Brown; and her nephews, Warren Cauley and Jackie Cauley. She also had many other great-nieces and nephews and special friends of the family.
A Celebration of Belle’s Life will be held over Memorial Day weekend. More information will be sent closer to the date of the celebration. We plan to build a memorial garden for her with the help of family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you bring a flower, plant, rose bush or yard ornament to the celebration in May to create “Mama Belle’s Garden.” If you would like to send things in advance, please send it to the Minute Muffler Shop. Once the garden is complete, we will sprinkle her ashes and enjoy a potluck meal in true “Mama Belle” fashion. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oakeys.com.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Cauley, and her brothers, George William, Robert, and Carl Cauley.
Belle was the co-owner of Minute Muffler Shop for over 45 years. She loved to go to work and talk with all the customers. Even though she was retired, she continued to go to work each day. Belle raised her family in the shop and adopted many other children along the way. She was “Mama Belle” to everyone and never met a stranger.
Belle spent her life trying to make sure everyone was taken care of. She enjoyed going to yard sales every Saturday and spending time with family. Her newest favorite pastime was spending time with her great-grandsons. She loved holding Connor and playing with Colter. Her other favorite pastime was feeding all the food off her plate to her dog, Anna Belle, and taking naps with her cat, Clara Belle.
She leaves behind her husband of 56 years, Todd Gills; her son, Todd Gills II and his wife, Kelly; her daughter, Crystal Gills Fernatt and her husband, Timmy; her grandchildren, Chad Gills and his wife, Caitlin, Tabitha Gills, and Kadence Fernatt; her great-grandchildren, Colter and Connor Gills; her sister, Ruth Flowers; her nieces, Michelle Granger, Melissa Epperly, Tammie Bowdel, and Carolyn Brown; and her nephews, Warren Cauley and Jackie Cauley. She also had many other great-nieces and nephews and special friends of the family.
A Celebration of Belle’s Life will be held over Memorial Day weekend. More information will be sent closer to the date of the celebration. We plan to build a memorial garden for her with the help of family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you bring a flower, plant, rose bush or yard ornament to the celebration in May to create “Mama Belle’s Garden.” If you would like to send things in advance, please send it to the Minute Muffler Shop. Once the garden is complete, we will sprinkle her ashes and enjoy a potluck meal in true “Mama Belle” fashion. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oakeys.com.