Lila Desma (Clements) Dehart

Strength and honor are her clothing. She looketh well to the ways of her household. Her children arise up and call her blessed.
Proverbs 31:25-28
Lila Desma Clements DeHart passed away to her heavenly home with her family by her side on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at the age of 101 ½ years.  She was born the second of seven children to W.H. and June (Jamerson) Brannon in Hill County, Texas on April 26, 1918.
Desma, as she was known, attended school in the community of Prairie Point.  She married J.B. Clements in 1936 at the age of 18 years.  Together this union established a family of 5.  During her lifetime she held many occupations, including a waitress at Andrews Café, seamstress at Maulouf and Homes Manufacturing Co., manager of Dairy Mart in Whitney for her daughter and son-in-law and she also worked at the Locker Plant wrapping meat.

Desma was a life-long resident of Hill County.  She was a member of the Central Baptist Church in Hillsboro.  She loved God and was very strong in her faith, always reading a daily devotional. In her 101 years of life, she saw many changes, some good and some bad.  She was a survivor of the Great Depression and World War II.  Through it all, she always kept her faith in the Lord.
Desma was a wonderful cook. She made delicious homemade cobblers and chocolate pies for her family to enjoy.  She took pride in working in her yard and was considered by many to have a “green thumb”.  She also loved taking long rides with her son, Jerry in his ’57 Chevy.  She loved animals and especially her beloved companion, Sassy. But, most of all, her greatest joy was spending time with her family.  She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.  She will truly be missed by all the many lives she touched during her time on earth.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband in 1978.  She then remarried Rodger “R.Q.” DeHart in 1979 and he preceded her in death in 1987. She was also preceded in death by her son, Jerry Benton Clements; sons-in-law, Carroll “Tunk” McCauley and Donald Reed; daughter-in-law, Kay Clements; granddaughter, Vicky McCullough; 3 brothers, 2 sisters, and great great grandchildren, Kensie Jo McFall and Finn Benton Pope.
She is survived by 2 daughters: Joyce Reed of Whitney and Barbara McCauley of Franklin. Sister, Faye Davis, Grandchildren: Keith Reed and wife Julie, Kim Heckard and husband Jim, Kelley Freeman, Steven McCauley and wife Michelle, Jennifer Lewis and husband Mike, Melinda Landry and husband Jeff and Amanda Clements and partner John.18 Great-Grandchildren and 11 Great-Great Grandchildren.
A visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2019, with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro with Rev. Darrel Beggs officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Garden of Memory in Hillsboro.
Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, P.O. Box 263 Hillsboro, Texas 76645.