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Oct. 4, 1926 – Dec. 17, 2023

Natchez – Services for Julia Mae “MeeMaw” McIlwain, 97, of Natchez who died Sunday, December 17, 2023, in Natchez will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Jim Beam Ingram officiating.

Burial will follow at Jersey Settler Cemetery in Kingston under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Laird Funeral Home.

Ms. McIlwain was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Gloster, MS the daughter of Tully Clifton Havard and Euna Belle Poole.

As a born-again Christian, she was a faithful member of Kingston United Methodist Church. She loved Jesus and people.  She was a past member of Home Demonstrations where she participated in activities such as crafts, ceramics and traveling to the New Orleans World Fair and Epcot Center.  She loved working the polls during elections.  She was vibrant, energetic, quick-witted, fun-loving and will be missed.  She was well known in her community and Wayne Thompson referred to her as “The Mayor of Kingston.”

Ms. McIlwain was preceded in death by her husband, William McIlwain; her parents, Tully Clifotn Havard and Euna Belle Havard; 5 younger siblings, Tullie Poole Havard, Billy Ray Havard, Ivaughn Havard, Freddie Rose Coleman and Wanza Lee Craft; her daughter, Judy Anne Smith; and grandson, Keith Goldman.

Survivors include her daughters, Debra McIlwain, and Karen Delaney and husband Jimmy; grandchildren, Paul Smith, Mendez Nelson, Amy Johnson, Clayton Delaney and Will Delaney; great-grandchildren, Carly Delaney, Madison Delaney, Ava Delaney, Parker Delaney, Sydney Smith, Lauren Johnson, and Morgan Russell; great-grandchildren, Hayes, Briar and Grace.

Pallbearers will be Clayton Delaney, Will Delaney, John Clifton Thompson, Wayne Thompson, Demp White, and Randy Cowart.

Honorary pallbearers will be Horace Thompson, Greg Thompson, Jimmy Delaney and Tucker Thompson.

Memorials may be made to Kingston United Methodist Church 7 Wild Turkey Road Natchez, MS 39120.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.