Lillie Estella Eldridge

Lillie E. Eldridge, age 88, widow of John Eldridge, Jr., peacefully passed at her home on September 23, 2026. She was born January 1, 1938, in Pulaski County, Kentucky, to the late Thomas and Montie Hudson Malone. Lillie was a child of God, a homemaker, and an excellent cook.

Lillie is survived by her six children: Sharon DeSpain, her husband Steve of Rockwall, TX; Tom Eldridge, his wife Rhesa of Nicholasville, KY; Liz Baker, her husband Johnny of Somerset, KY; Debbie Lovin, her husband Clyde of OH; Karen Peel, her husband John of Nicholasville, KY; Melissa Jones, her husband Kevin of Nicholasville, KY. Lillie is also survived by nine grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Additional survivors include her sister, Shirley Way; her husband, Bobby of Nicholasville; and two sisters-in-law, Rena Malone and Sudie Garrison—as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Lillie was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Eldridge; her parents, Thomas and Montie Hudson Malone; her brother, Ray Malone; her sister, Evelyn Creech; and her great-great-grandson, Daniel Harless. She also lost five siblings in a house fire in 1955.

Services will be at 1:00 pm, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Betts & West Funeral Home, Nicholasville, KY, with Pastor Buddy Puckett officiating.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am, until the time of her service on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Nicholasville, KY. Pallbearers will be JR Peel, JT Eldridge, Justin Vanarsdall, Terry Cook, Jason Irvine, and Bobby Way.