Obituary of Lula Derefield Ekers

Lula Leona Derefield Ekers, 86, of Lexington, formerly of Ashland entered her eternal rest on January 9, 2020 at her residence in Lexington following an extended illness. 

She was born February 12, 1933 in Yatesville, KY.  She was the daughter of the late Arlie and Willie Dova Derefield.  Her spouse Roscoe Harold Ekers preceded her in death in 1993. 

She graduated from Louisa High School in 1952.  She was a housewife and a member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in Ashland and a life member of the Rush Order of the Eastern Star #546, where she received her fifty-year pin in 2016.  She served as Worthy Patron twice from 1979-1980 and again in 1999-2000.  She was a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem in Ashland, the Order of the Amaranth in Flatwoods, and a Kentucky Colonel.  She was a seamstress who enjoyed quilting and in later years made afghans for family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert R. and Charles C. Derefield; sisters, Agnes McLain and Freda F. Fusner; nephew, Clinton Derefield; and nieces, Sherry F. Johnston and Carol Petry. 

She is survived by her children, Deborah (Ken) Critser, Zellwood, FL, Sheila (Stan) Howard, Yorktown, VA, Thomas (Patsy Ann) Ekers, Georgetown, KY, Linda Ekers, Lexington, KY, Patsy L. (Bill) Chesnut, London, KY.  Eight grandchildren, Kenneth II (Tabitha) Critser, Thornton, CO, Shannon (Matt) McKenney, Colonial Beach, VA, Sean Howard, Lynchburg, VA, Scott Howard, Yorktown, VA, Casey (Daniel) Woods, Lexingto, Lauren Ekers, Lexington, Jordan Chesnut, London, Holly Chesnut, London; several great-grandchildren, Oliver Howard, Elsie and Sadie McKenney, Micah Chesnut, a sister, Edith E. Derefield, Louisa, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

The family would like to thank the caregivers from Bluegrass Hospice Care for their assistance during this trial, and in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Bluegrass Hospice Care, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, KY 40504. 

Funeral services will be conducted at Wilson Funeral Home, Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 2pm.  Burial will follow in the Derefield-Chaffin Cemetery on Raven’s Rock Fork Road in Louisa, KY.  Friends may visit the family on Sunday, January 12^th from 1pm until the time of services at Wilson Funeral Home.  All care has been entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home.