Tricia Lillard, a remarkable servant of God, passed away on May 18 after battling cancer for nearly 12 years. Tricia was never defined by her illness, but rather, her identity came out of God?s heart for those who are most often over-looked and vulnerable. Tricia?s legacy, among many things, will clearly live through her love and passion for youth in foster care, those needing to be adopted, and those families who struggled to remain together. As a matter of fact, at an orphan care ministry luncheon meeting the Thursday before her death?just 40 hours before her death, Tricia was rallying those around her to continue their service in foster care and adoption, especially in Shelby County.
Tricia and her husband, Randy, who also serves as Agape?s Board Chair, have cared for nearly 30 foster children in their home. They have helped keep homeless families together, reunite families after significant trauma occurred, provided a temporary home for youth who then went on to live in their forever adoptive home, and adopted two children themselves. Their impact was not only for those they directly cared for, but for those around them, including their children, Callie and Jared. Callie has embraced the cause of orphans at levels unmatched by many, especially for young adults, and Jared is raising his family in ways that brings honor to our Lord. Both of them saw Jesus through their mother! What a blessing for them!
Tricia was forever impacted by her parents, Bill and Frances Hester. As a young girl, Tricia experienced her parents bringing foster children into their home. She also watched her parents care for pregnant teenage girls who needed attention after the delivery of a newborn baby. What a legacy for Tricia and she modeled that kind of life herself!
A beautiful celebration and memorial service occurred this past Tuesday for Tricia which glorified God and honored a faithful servant. More than 1,000 people attended and were challenged with this question by friends and family??who is going to fill the gap of service to vulnerable children now that Tricia is no longer with us??
What can we do now to honor Tricia?s life and carry on her legacy? The first thing Tricia would say is ?do something?ministering to orphans is not optional!?. Secondly, she would encourage you to support the cause of orphans. Therefore, the family has asked for all gifts be made to either Agape or the Handprints ministry at Sycamore View church. Callie and Tricia began this important ministry at Sycamore View to support orphan care, adoption, and foster care.
Furthermore, the Agape Board of Directors has established The Tricia Lillard Endowed Fund for those desiring to make a financial contribution in her honor. This fund will help ensure Tricia?s heart and passion for children will continue to live by providing funding for serving more foster children and people who desire to adopt. This fund will help us minister to the vulnerable children in our region.
?Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.?
Thank you, Tricia for teaching us what James 1:27 really means. You lived this passage and allowed the Word of God to impact your whole being. Your life mirrored God?s heart for children.
Tags: Agape Memphis, Tricia Lillard
Source: http://www.ccfsa.org/news/tricia-lillard-lived-james-127/
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