Funeral services for Myrtle Amencie Lilley Cruz, 95, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with Bro. Wayne Bickley officiating. Interment will follow in the Big Sandy Cemetery in Dallardsville, Texas. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Myrtle Lilley Cruz was born January 26, 1924 and passed from this life on May 8, 2019. Myrtle Amencie Lilley was born in Livingston, Texas to George and Ila Lilley and was the oldest of six children; Edith Kreuzer, Clayton, Robert Claude, Lester, and Edwin. Myrtle married Francis A. Cruz on November 12, 1942, and they were married 51 years before Francis' death in July 1994.

Myrtle established Myrtle Cruz, Inc. in August 1978 to provide bookkeeping services to a fledgling industry in Houston, Municipal Utility Districts. She had previously worked as a bookkeeper for Cyril Smith who was creating these "MUD" Districts. Her niece, Mary Jarmon is President of Myrtle Cruz, Inc. and her brother Lester is Secretary Treasurer. The firm currently serves over 350 Districts with 40+ employees, many of which are family and friends of Myrtle Cruz.

Myrtle was a founding member of the Association of Water Board Directors (A.W.B.D.) and in 1992 she received the Visions award, the highest honor given by A.W.B.D. in recognition of her services. In 2002,   A.W.B.D. recognized and appointed Myrtle, the first Emeritus Member of the Advisory Council. She was honored with a Resolution by the State of Texas House of Representatives in 2005 for exception bookkeeping services to the water district industry.

Myrtle had the ability to be happy in all circumstances. After retirement, she moved to Bella Vita and made many new friends as she hosted block parties and played games at the community center. After health issues forced her to relocate in October 2018, she moved back home to Big Sandy with her brother and sister in law, Clayton & Sandra Lilley. She visited with old friends, made new friends, found a new church home and was spoiled immeasurably by Sandra.

A celebration was held on January 26 ^th , 2019 in honor of her 95 ^th birthday with over 100 people in attendance. She had a lovely day visiting with everyone and tired herself completely out for days.

On Easter Sunday, she suffered yet another health crises, one that proved insurmountable. She was provided care in the last days of her life by The Bradford in Livingston and Kindred Hospice. A special thank you to both for their outstanding care. Special mention goes to Jennifer Hindsman, her niece who works for Kindred Hospice, for providing a source of comfort to the family that she was in the care of someone who loved her.

Myrtle is preceded in death by her husband, Francis A. Cruz; parents, George and Ila Lilley; sister, Edith Kreuzer; and brothers, Robert Claude Lilley and Edwin E. Lilley. She is survived by her brother, Charles Clayton Lilley and wife, Sandra; brother, Lester L. Lilley and wife, Evelyn; and sisters-in-law, Janie Lilley and Jackie Lilley; along with a numerous number of nieces, nephews, their children and grandchildren.

Myrtle leaves behind an immense family who have benefitted from her support, strength and love. She was extremely generous with her family and many have benefitted by establishing careers and achieving their goals in education. Her legacy will live on in her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Parkinson's Foundation; on-line at www.parkinsonsfoundation.org or mailed to: 200 SE 1 ^st Street, Suite 800, Miami, Florida 33131.

Pallbearers: Jeremy Lilley, Steve Lilley, Lester Lilley Jr., Adam Lilley, Nathan Jarmon, Scott Lilley, Mike Lilley, Howdy Fort