Lulu Belle Rich

Lulu Belle Rich (87) of Pana, IL, passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones on April 13, 2024, where she resided at Pana Health and Rehab Center and is now fully restored in body and mind in heaven. Lulu Bulle was born in Ramsey, IL, on February 9, 1937, to Archie and Martha (Morell) Hicks. She married Levert LeRoy Rich on June 4, 1954, and together they raised four daughters in Mississippi. Lulu Belle attended the Herrick Church of Christ when she was young, and she was a member of Hernando Church of Christ in Hernando, MS, for more than 30 years. Lulu Belle worked in banking and sales for most of her career, and she was an excellent salesperson. She loved people and never met a stranger. When she was young, she enjoyed impersonating Minnie Pearl at community events, listening to gospel and country music, and traveling. She once took a trip to Canada with her beloved husband LeRoy on his motorcycle and it was one of her favorite memories with him. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Corley (Mel) of Brandon, MS, Marsha Hackney of Lovely, KY, Robin Long of Tupelo, MS, and Millie Trout of Boone Villa, MS; nine grandchildren; siblings, Judy Schoonover of Herrick, IL, Gary Hicks (Shela) of Tower Hill, IL, Dennis Hicks (Linda) of Cowden, IL, Lois Corley (Steve) of Lakewood, IL, Sam Hicks of Herrick, IL, and Trudy Randall (Dale) of Beecher City, IL; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Levert LeRoy Rich; her parents; her granddaughter Alison Brooke Long; and her brothers Larry Hicks and Scott Hicks. A funeral service will be held at the Tower Hill Christian Church at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, with Lulu Belle’s nephew, Joshua Hicks officiating, as she requested. Visitation will be from 10:00-10:30 a.m., prior to the start of the service. Burial will follow at the Oak Grove cemetery in Herrick, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Refuge Ranch at www.refuge-ranch.org in Lulu Belle’s honor of helping foster, adopted, and disabled children. Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia have been entrusted with service arrangements; online condolences can be expressed at www.hohltandfilefh.com.

Lulu Belle Rich

February 9, 1937 - April 13, 2024