Nancy Lilly Obituary

Nancy Lilly

Charleston - Nancy Estes Cobb Lilly left this life for the next at noon on Sunday, January 18, 2026 as church bells rang outside her window. Nancy was born on September 17, 1930, the daughter of Emma Belle Estes and Collier Cobb, Jr.

She grew up in the then small town of Chapel Hill, NC. As a tomboy, Nancy delighted in trying to keep up with her older brother, Cobby, first on Cobb Terrace and then on Franklin St. She swam in the University pool, rode horses with friends through the woods and fields, shot BB guns, and read lots of books. Literature and learning were lifelong loves. During World War II, Nancy's mother would send her and her brother out to invite young soldiers, in town for training, home for Sunday dinner. One such soldier ended up marrying her cousin.

Nancy attended Stuart Hall in Staunton, VA, and then Randolph Macon Woman's College. After graduation, she returned to Chapel Hill and taught kindergarten. She loved teaching James, Kate, and Livingston Taylor, who were all remarkably creative, even at very young ages. She delighted in James Taylor's musical success and introduced her children to his music. In her mid-twenties, Nancy left Chapel Hill and moved to New York. She was hired as the secretary to the Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mr. James Rorimer. She later learned that he offered her the job because she was the only applicant who wore a dress suit, hat, and gloves to the interview. Mr. Rorimer told her that good manners and proper decorum were important for the position and not easily taught. Nancy loved New York, the Metropolitan Museum, the ballet, Broadway, and opera.

After a brief stint teaching History and English at the Chapin School, Nancy left New York in 1961, returning to North Carolina to marry the love of her life, Edward Guerrant Lilly, Jr. Together, they created a warm, welcoming home and reared four children: a daughter, Penn, and three boys, Edward, Collier, and Steven.

Nancy believed strongly in service to her community. In Durham and then Raleigh, she served on the boards of numerous organizations including the American Red Cross, the Carolina Ballet, the North Carolina Art Society, UNC-CH Friends of the Library, the North Caroliniana Society, the Tryon Palace Commission and Council of Friends, and the Junior League.

Additionally, she served on the Board of Visitors of Peace College and UNC-Wilmington. As a devoted member of the Colonial Dames of America, she served many years as the NC regent for Gunston Hall, the Virginia home of George Mason.

Nancy's Christian faith and her church were paramount in her life. At White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, she served as a Deacon and Elder. She was a past president of the Presbyterian Women and received an Honorary Life Membership Award. Additionally, she served as a Stephen Minister, a Circle Leader, a Circle Bible Moderator for 18 years, and on the Music and Worship Planning Committee.

Her love of reading led her to membership in the Johnsonian Book Club and the Sans Facon Book Club, and her love of the arts inspired her devotion to the Raleigh Fine Arts Society. She was an assistant leader of the North Carolina Debutante Ball as a young lady in 1949 and was humbled and honored to serve as the Honorary Chair of the Ball in 2010.

Along with reading, Nancy enjoyed sewing, needlework, singing, tennis, sailing, golf, roses, birds, long phone visits, puzzles, and spending time with those she loved. A devoted friend and loving mother, she delighted in time with her family, especially at Wrightsville Beach and on sailing trips with her beloved Ed, their children, and grandchildren.

Nancy was pre-deceased by her brother, Collier Cobb, III, and his wife, Carolyn, and her son, Collier Cobb Lilly. She is survived by her husband, Edward Guerrant Lilly, Jr., her daughter, Penelope (Penn) Lilly Hagood (Ben), her sons, Edward Guerrant Lilly, III (Lillian), and Steven Clay Lilly (SuSu), nine grandchildren, Derrill Hagood McDavid (Will), Nancy Lilly Hagood, Edward Guerrant Lilly, IV, James Montgomery Lilly, Collier Cornelson Lilly, David Brooks Lilly, Mary Chandler Lilly, Collier Cobb Lilly, II, Steven Clay Lilly, Jr., and two great grandchildren, Benjamin Brian McDavid, and John Frampton McDavid, all of whom she adored.

The family wishes to thank the amazing staff of Bishop Gadsden, and most especially the many wonderful ladies who love and serve the residents of the Estes Community at Gadsden Glen. Nancy loved each of you, and you cared for her so well. Her family is deeply grateful.

A service of Witness to the Resurrection and Celebration of Life will be held at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church at 53 Meeting St., Charleston, SC on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. . Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, Charleston, SC.

We invite you to share a memory and sign our guest book.