Lila Murray Fairey, 88, wife of the late Dr. William “Billy” Fletcher Fairey, III, died Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
A Greenville native, Lila was the daughter of the late Dr. John Girardeau Murray and Lila Graham Murray. She attended school in Greenville, graduating from Greenville High with the Class of 1952 and often spoke of her fondness for her friends and experiences there. Lila then headed to Washington, D.C. for college at Mt. Vernon before graduating and returning to Greenville. Primarily a resident of Greenville for most of her life, she was blessed to live the last twenty years in Pawleys Island married to her beloved husband, Billy. Following his passing in 2020, Lila returned to Greenville. She loved nothing more than to spend time with friends and to be surrounded by her family, whom she adored. To all who knew her, especially to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her many treasured friends, Lila was loving, gracious, and fun. She was as beautiful inside as out and had a deep faith that sustained her throughout her life.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Dr. John Girardeau Murray, Jr.; and her sister, Martha Murray Gulian.
She is survived by her sons, Harold Marion Hewell (Vickie) and Murray McJunkin Hewell (Eileen); and daughters, Lila Hewell Kittredge (John) and Clara Hewell Weston (Nelson). Lila leaves behind eight grandchildren, Lila Marian Kittredge (Eric Freise), John Williamson Kittredge, Jr. (Maggie), Zay Jeffries Kittredge II (Jennifer), John Murray Hewell, James McJunkin Hewell, Clara Elizabeth Weston, Caroline Woodward Weston, and Shannon Nelson Weston III. She also leaves three great-grandchildren, Murray Jeffries Kittredge, Elwyn Marguerite Kittredge, and Amarillys Marian Kittredge. Twin great-granddaughters are expected in August and will be named Lila and Murray after their precious great grandmother.
Lila was very close to and loved her wonderful godchild, Preston Gibson McAfee and she treasured her loving relationship with Billy’s five children, their spouses and families.
The funeral service will be held in the Harper Chapel at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. immediately followed by a reception at the Poinsett Club, 807 E. Washington St. Lila will be laid to rest at a graveside service on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the All Saints Church Cemetery in Pawleys Island with her dear husband, Billy Fairey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lila Kittredge Endowment Fund at Christ Church Episcopal School, 245 Cavalier Drive, Greenville, SC 29607 or to a charity of one’s choice.
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