Herrin- Lila Lee Magnotti, 98, of Herrin, passed away on April 15, 2018.
Lila was born in West Frankfort, IL on January 9, 1920. She was a 1936 graduate of West Frankfort High School and married Wallace Bearden in 1937. Wallace was a professional photographer and Lila hand painted his photographs.
Years later she started working at Sangamon and then Olin Mathieson Chemical Company. Lila was the very first woman to apply for a position in the men's area at Olin and worked in that position for several years before retiring in 1982.
Lila is survived by her daughters, Sharon Bearden, and Vicki Colombo, son-in-law, Frank Colombo; Grandchildren, Lisa Dewey, Brett Ramsey, Sean Tobin, Jennifer Lauderdale, Chris May and Nicolette Capuano and their families and daughters-in-law, Patricia Magnotti and Pat Magnotti and their families. She will be sadly missed by her family, friends and her companion, Lew Reed.
She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Wallace Bearden, and her husband, Tony Magnotti.
Lila was a member of Hurricane Memorial Baptist Creek Church and the Red Hat Club. She loved to sew and created many beautiful things for her family, friends and church group. For those planning on attending visitation or the funeral service, Lila loved hats and would love it if you would like to wear a hat as a tribute to her memory.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, April 18th, at Johnson Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Pastor David Gilley will officiate. Interment will follow at Herrin City Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until time of service, Wednesday at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Williamson County Ambulance Service and can be mailed to 201 S. Park/ Herrin, IL or accepted at the funeral home. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.