Obituary for Lillian Barber Haller
Lillian Barber Haller, “Lil” 92 of Pulaski, VA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 8, 2022. Born in Anderson, SC on December 3, 1929 to Reverend and Mrs. Ernest L. Barber, Lil graduated from Queens College in Charlotte, NC with a degree in Christian Education. It was during those college years that she met and married her husband, Dr. Thomas B. Haller, “Tommy”, deceased, also of Pulaski, VA. They were married nearly 70 years. She is survived by her three children, Dendy Haller Askins, Allison Haller Hunter and husband, John Hunter, and Thomas B. Haller, Jr. and wife Linda Haller. In addition to her three children, she had 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Lil was also preceded in death by her sweet sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Barber McLaney.
Lil was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Pulaski where she brought her love of music center stage by developing and growing a youth musical ministry, The Joyful Noise. Under her directorship she fostered 100’s of youth from all over Pulaski and Dublin, traveling many a weekend to share their Christian musical ministry with churches throughout Virginia and the Carolinas. Lil also spearheaded the beginning of a local food ministry, Daily Bread, that operates in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian. Under her leadership, Daily Bread grew to serve lunch time meals 5 days a week to area residents in need. It is still a vibrant ministry today, serving the community whom she dearly loved.
She will be truly missed by all of her children, grands and great-grands, as well as the community in which she lived. Thank you, Lil, for sharing such a beautiful life with all!
Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Pulaski, VA at 11 am on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 with the Rev. Graham Mitchell and Rev. Terrie Sternberg officiating. There will be a reception following the service in the fellowship hall of the church. Visitation will be on Friday, May 13th at Stevens Funeral Home from 5-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to First Presbyterian Church/Daily Bread, Good Samaritan Hospice Care of Pulaski County, or any other local charity in the Pulaski community.