Lillian Easler Derby, 91, of Columbia, died on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Born in Richland County, on October 6, 1932, she was a daughter of Addie Bell Grimsley and Lewis Walter Easler. Mrs. Derby was the youngest daughter in a family of 12 children and was a child of the Great Depression. Throughout her life, she never lost her humility and maintained a sense of humor that always drew her family close throughout the years. She moved to Ridgeway, SC early in life, and later moved to her home on Hearn Drive where she lived for 64 years. A lifelong member of Killian Baptist Church, Mrs. Derby loved being involved with church activities. She attended faithfully until it closed during Covid. She later attended North Trenholm Baptist Church until her health declined. She retired from DHEC as Executive Secretary to the Commissioner of the Drug Control Division. After her retirement, she traveled extensively in the States, the UK and Europe. She loved working in her yard, and worked hard to make it a showplace. She also loved spending time with her two daughters and her son.

Survivors include her daughters, Marilyn Branham Ardis (Michael), Denise Branham Howard (Wilson); son, Walter Branham (Robin); grandchildren, Amy Tavares (Chris), Elizabeth Kovalchik (Kevin) and George Branham (Jessie); great-grandchildren, Parker Tavares, Lily Morgan Tavares, Harrison Tavares, William Branham, Olivia Branham and Jace Branham. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Ivey Morgan Branham, and her second husband David Derby, and her siblings:Caleb, Horace, JB, Ollie, Marie, Beulah, Mike, Betty, Bryan and Frank.

The funeral service for Mrs. Derby will be held at 11 o'clock, Wednesday, October 9th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, with the Rev. Joe Copeland officiating. Burial will follow at 12 o'clock, in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 10 o'clock.