Lillian Belle Story

Lillian Belle Story entered into eternal rest on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the age of 99. She was born in Troy, South Carolina, and was the daughter of Allen and Rebecca Walker. She grew up on her family’s farm with her seven siblings.

Belle graduated from Greenwood High School in 1942 and Greenwood College of Commerce in 1943. During World War II, Belle fulfilled her patriotic duty by working in the fingerprint division of the FBI in Washington, D.C. As the war ended, she returned to Greenwood and was employed as a bookkeeper at Moore’s Chevrolet. Belle married Robert Murray Drinkard, a rising banker and entrepreneur, in 1948. Belle adored her time as a homemaker and mother to their daughters, Gayle Drinkard Oliver (Phil) and Nancy Drinkard Miller (Olan). In 1954, their young family moved to Washington, Georgia, where Murray later became president of Farmers and Merchants Bank.

As they built their lives in Washington, Belle enjoyed traveling across the country with her husband for banking and Kiwanis Club conventions. They spent their free time together camping with their girls and extended family at Elijah Clark State Park. Although Belle never learned to swim, she did learn to waterski and passed on her love of family time in the outdoors to her children.

As a member of First Baptist Church in Washington, Belle faithfully served as a primary Sunday School teacher for over 20 years. She also enjoyed beautifying her community as an active member of the Iris Garden Club. As her girls grew older, Belle worked as the secretary for seven years at Washington-Wilkes High School. She and her husband served as active boosters for the football team and the school band. During football season, Friday nights were spent hosting victory parties at their home.

At the age of 53, Belle lost her husband of 31 years. Over the next decade, her grandchildren were born, Maria Oliver Solomon (Brandon), Elizabeth Miller Smith (David), Tiffany Oliver Cole (David), James Murray Miller (Lyndie) and Paul Olan Miller. In 1987, she married Frank Mel Story, Sr. They shared eight years of happiness before his death in 1995.

Belle found joy in giving to others through her volunteer work. She began to deliver Meals on Wheels for Wills Memorial Hospital and remained in this role for over 30 years. She served her church as a member of the hospitality committee and traveled with her local Pilot Club. She was likewise a member of a widows’ club and enjoyed hosting a festive Christmas dinner in her home each year.

As her grandchildren grew, Belle returned once again to family time outdoors on Clark’s Hill Lake. She lovingly provided her grandchildren with a lake house, ski and pontoon boats, and almost three decades of memories on the lake together, always with a pound cake to share. Belle was proudly present at each of her grandchildren’s college graduations, weddings and finally, for the birth of her seven great-grandchildren, Frances Belle Solomon, Sadie Grace Miller, Ellis Millan Solomon, Harper Lynn Miller, Lillian Reeves Cole, Samuel David Cole, and Walker Martin Smith. As a tribute to the lasting impact her life has had, each of her granddaughters chose to use part of her name when naming their own children. During her final years of life, Belle enjoyed cheering on the Atlanta Braves with her family, reading, needlepoint and attending special events and activities for her great-grandchildren, always proudly presenting a pound cake upon her arrival.

As she met her Savior, after a life well-lived, Belle was surely greeted with the words, “well done, my good and faithful servant.”

The family would like to thank Evelyn Smith, Lynn Acre, and Rosemary Gresham who lovingly cared for our mother and our Nana during her final illness. Their many acts of kindness will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in honor of Belle Story to First Baptist Church, Washington, Georgia, or to a charity of your choice.