Lillian H. Wootten of Delmar passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at her home.
She was born in Bridgehampton, NY, on Dec. 27, 1918, daughter of the late Lulu Blanche (Fanning) Hedges and Nor man Church Hedges. At a young age, her family moved to the Sycamore area in Laurel, where she attended the Sycamore School and graduated from Laurel High School. She married her husband, Linford E. Wootten, on Sept. 11, 1936, and they began a family and raised their children in Laurel. She was an accomplished seamstress, making ballet costumes, baby clothes, and Christmas dresses for her granddaughters. She loved to cook, and will be remembered for her scalloped oysters and homemade pickles.
Throughout the years she worked at Vernon Powell in Salisbury and Beacon Milling in Laurel. When her husband retired, they moved to their second home in Mount Vernon, Md., where they enjoyed life on the Wicomico River and became active members of the community. In later years Lillian and her husband Linford moved to Delmar, where they resided for many years.
Mrs. Wootten was a member of the New Century Club in Laurel, O.E.S. Adah Chapter #5 in Delmar, and the Martha Rebekah Lodge # 21 in Laurel, where she served twice as Noble Grand. She was also a member of the Princess Anne Lions Club, while in Mount Vernon. She was a member of St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Delmar, and formerly a member of the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her son, Robert L. Wootten and his wife Florence of New Bern, NC; a daughter, Jean W. Allen and her husband Robert of Selbyville; grandchildren, Mary Kate Allen, Megan Holzer and her husband Craig, Jim Wootten and his wife Christina, and Laura Little and her husband David; great-grandchildren, Alexander and Emily Nagy, Maya Allen-Priest, Katie Lil and Will Holzer, Luke, Connor, Sydney Lin and Remi Wootten, and Reginald, Lockwood, and Theodore Little.
She is also survived by a brother, Walter Hedges of West Columbia, SC; a sister, Mary Louise Janosik of Laurel; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Wootten was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Linford Wootten; a sister, Theresa Murray; and brothers, Dayton, Norman and Nathan Hedges.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at 1 p.m. at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Delmar. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. The Reverend Phyllis Walton will officiate. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Laurel.
In lieu of flowers, contributions, in the memory of Mrs. Wootten, may be sent to St. Stephens United Methodist Church, 101 E. State Street, Delmar, DE 19940
The family would like to thank Mrs. Wootten’s caregivers, and Delaware Hospice, for their attentive care of Mrs. Wootten in her final months.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shorth.com.