Lily Ruth Pulliam Chatham

Lily Ruth Pulliam Chatham, 86 of Axton, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026 at UNC Rockingham Hospital of Eden after a short illness. A funeral service will be held at 2pm Friday, June 5, 2026 at First Church of the Brethren in Eden with Pastor Douglas Diamond officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30-2:00pm at the church prior to the service. Burial will follow at Overlook Cemetery. The family will receive friends at other times at her home.

Lily was born November 22, 1939 in Spray, NC to the late Tommie Dewey Pulliam and Shirley Hambrick Pulliam. She was a proud member of the Morehead High School Class of 1958. Following high school, Lily began work at WLOE. Following her time at WLOE she worked for Eden City Schools as a school secretary at both Burton Grove Elementary and Central Elementary. She worked for a short time at Spray Cotton Mills, before finishing her career at Miller Brewing Company. After retirement she became an avid quilter, gifting friends and family with her creations. She loved spending time with her family every Sunday night for dinner. She also loved shopping any chance she could get and going to the beach with her family and with her high school “chunky monkey” friends.

Surviving is her husband of 66 years, Carl Chatham; son, Steve Chatham (Terri); daughter, Cathy Murray (Jack); grandson, Hunter Murray (Ashley & Sawyer); granddaughter, Taylor Murray; sister, Susan Childrey (Louis); and niece Lauren Cherry (Brittain, Hays, & Olivia). The family would like to issue a special thank you to Dr. Sanford, Dr. Panwala, Dr. Vendura, Hagan Pace - NP (all of UNCR) as well as all of the 2nd floor nursing staff and ICU nursing staff. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Church of the Brethren of Eden, NC.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com.