Margaret Neilson Lillard

Margaret Neilson Lillard, 87 of Statesville, passed away on July 3, 2025. She was the daughter of Clyde C. Neilson and Mary Salene Mills Neilson. Margaret was an honor graduate of Troutman High School, Mitchell Community College, and the University of Memphis. She was employed as a civilian at Air Force bases in Utah, Panama, and Nevada. After her husband’s retirement from the Air Force, she was on staff at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Major Monte O. Lillard. She is survived by her brother, Graham Neilson (Karen) and her nephews, Chris Neilson (Chelsie Cole) and Michael Neilson (Kristin) and their children. She is also survived by her cousins Sarah Cheek of Davidson and Rebecca Sipes of Troutman.

Services for Margaret will be held on Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 PM at the Troutman Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Dieter Punt presiding. Visitation with the family will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Iredell County or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman.

The family is grateful for the care given to Margaret by Brookdale Peachtree Memory Care and Hospice of Iredell County during her final days.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the Lillard family.