Nancy Lilland

Nancy was born in Escambia County, Alabama on April 24th, 1950 as Nancy Clarice Cox. Her family called her by her middle name, Clarice, though she preferred to be called Nancy by others. She comes from a big family with three brothers and three sisters. Her parents, Frank and Maude Cox, both worked, so Nancy would cook meals daily for the family from a young age. When her father would get home from work, no matter what time of night he arrived, she would get up and cook him a hamburger. The family would often play baseball in the field beside their home. She learned from a young age how to be strong, stand up for her siblings, and support her family.

Nancy met her husband, Roy, while attending King High School. Roy would ride the bus with Nancy and her sister, Della. They knew each other for quite a while before he asked her to the prom, and he was completely smitten with her. They were exactly what you would imagine as an American dream couple. Roy would say, “I remember I’d be sitting there in my homeroom, and I could see her sitting in her homeroom across the hall, looking just beautiful with her long thick hair. And she would glance over to see me sitting there all starry-eyed, and she’d give me this wide-eyed smile as if to say, “What are you looking at?? Pay attention to your class, mister!” Roy and Nancy married in November 1968, shortly after graduation, and she followed him when he joined the Armed Forces as he traveled to Mississippi and Oklahoma and back again to Florida. When Roy inherited his father’s family business, Nancy was by his side supporting him and worked there for 25 years before retiring.

Nancy loved to host, at work, at church, and in her home. She loved to decorate her home and design elaborate floral arrangements for church and events. She loved to cook for others; few things gave her greater joy than seeing someone’s eyes roll back in their head in ecstasy when they tasted her lasagna, cheesecake, or any of the hundreds of wonderful dishes she made. She was sophisticated yet loved things at their simplest with inspiring class and etiquette. She was wise, discerning, and kindhearted, and also passionate, fearless, and forthright. She was quiet, yet one would never mistake that for weakness. She suffered no fools and was fiercely protective of her family. She brightened and enriched everything she touched. Through all of it, she never sought recognition. She preferred to fly under the radar. She felt that everything she did could always stand improvement, even though everything she did was extraordinary.

Nancy’s commitment to her church began at a young age. She grew up attending church in Tampa, where she played the clarinet in the orchestra. When the church closed, Nancy played a pivotal role in reviving and re-opening the church in her adult years, where she would once again play the clarinet and eventually the soprano saxophone. She loved music and inspired her sons to take up instruments as well. Her talents for hosting, creating, and designing took root in her religion as well, where she hosted countless events and made a great many friends along the way.

Nancy's devotion to the pet population was awe-inspiring. She couldn’t say no to giving a stray animal a home. At one point, she owned 4 dogs, 5 cats, 13 birds (including an African Grey she hand-fed and raised from birth), and a dozen fish, all at the same time. The cacophony of God’s creation rang in her household for many years, much to the consternation of her husband and children.

It cannot be overstated that Nancy lived a full life. She loves her friends and family more than anything.

She was a dutiful daughter, a loving wife, an enduring mother, a true friend, and a devoted Christian. We all love her and will miss her greatly.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Roy Lilland; her children and their spouses, Jeanette Krier, Bob (Sasha) Lilland, and Adam (Cheryl) Lilland; her brothers and sisters and their spouses, Johnny (Sandy) Cox, Larry Cox, Paul (Nancy) Cox, April (J.R.) Peters, Della (Bill) Mercer, and Gloria (Roy) Jacobs; and her grandchildren, Nicholas, Jasmine, Logan, Devin, Zander, and Zachary, along with a large extended family of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents (Frank Cox Jr. and Maude Cox.)

Nancy’s visitation, funeral service, and graveside service will be held Monday, September 25, 2023.

Visitation & Funeral Service:

Blount & Curry Funeral Home

3207 W Bearss Ave

Tampa, FL 33618

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (visitation)

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (funeral service)

Graveside Service:

Florida National Cemetery

6502 SW 102nd Ave

Bushnell, FL 33513

1:30 PM to 2:00 PM