Lucille Virginia Ables: 1929-2025

VICKSBURG, Miss. — With deep love and gratitude for a life well lived, the family of Lucille Ables announces her peaceful passing on July 23, 2025, at the age of 96.

Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on February 1, 1929, Lucille was the beloved daughter of Ellis E. and Montie N. Coles. She lived a life grounded in faith, family and service to others – a life that touched countless hearts and reflected the quiet strength of her character. 

Lucille devoted over 30 years of her professional life to the Waterways Experiment Station before retiring. She later continued her work in service to others at The Good Shepherd Community Center. Lucille’s greatest calling was the love and care she poured into her family and community. 

She had a deep love for history and was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. As the family historian, she preserved the Coles family legacy with reverence and care. She was an avid reader and collector of news clippings, books, and stories, always eager to learn and share. Her curiosity and knowledge made her a cherished conversationalist and a source of wisdom to all who knew her. 

Lucille’s joy was found in life’s simple blessings: time spent in her yard tending to blooming annuals and perennials, gathering her family for her cherished Christmas Eve celebrations, and welcoming others into her warm and open home. She celebrated every milestone, large or small, with genuine joy, and offered comfort and strength in times of sorrow. 

A woman of unwavering faith, Lucille was a charter member of Hawkins United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for many years. Her faith was not only spoken but lived – through her kindness, her generosity, and the steadfast love she offered to family, friends, and neighbors. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis E. Coles: her brothers, William Scott Coles and Ellis E. Coles Jr.: and her sisters, Montie Love and Beverly C. Vance.

Lucille leaves behind a legacy of love through her daughter, Dianne Gibson; Sheryl Willoughby; son, Ross Ables (Pam); and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her spirit lives on in each of them – in their laughter, in their traditions, and in the way they care for one another. 

Lucille was a loving and kind soul, a source of strength, joy and grace. She walked through life with open hands and a generous heart. While we will miss her dearly, we rejoice in knowing she is now at peace, reunited with loved ones, and held in the embrace of God’s love.

Pallbearers will be Bradley Pecanty, Patrick Ables, Derek Ables, Joe Pecanty, Seth Boyd and Rob Fant. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandson, Colin Willoughby and great-grandsons, Gavin Ables, Fisher Pecanty, Lakelan Pecanty, Haidon Pecanty, Grayson Bennett, Brooks Fant and Cole Fant. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Hawkins United Methodist Church with Rev. Tommy Miller officiating the service. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of the service. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

The family would also like to recognize and thank the staff of Merit Health River Region and Gentiva Hospice for their compassion and care of our mother. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Lucille’s memory to Hawkins United Methodist Church, where faith and love for her church family endured throughout her life or the American Cancer Society. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lucille Virginia Coles Ables, please visit Glenwood Funeral Home’s floral store.

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