Obituary for
Lila Mae Risinger
Lila Mae Hamilton Risinger’s homegoing was February 13. She was born May 29, 1933 to Leora Glisson and Lila Henry Hamilton in Tampa FL.
She graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1951 and married the love of her life, Benjamin B. Risinger Jr. in 1952 while he was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base. They lived in Robstown, Texas for a while and then came back to Tampa in 1954. She worked at home when the children were young, sewing and tailoring for others as well as for her own family. She volunteered at the children’s schools in various capacities including Red Cross Gray Lady, then was employed at Sligh Jr. High School working her way up to bookkeeper; she retired at Buchanan Middle School as the bookkeeper.
Lila Mae and Ben traveled the US extensively, cruised many ports in the world, and they loved spending time at their cabin in the Smokey Mountains of NC. They square danced all over this country and Canada! They helped start the Temple Twirlers and are past presidents of the Florida Association of National Square Dance Campers.
She was a member of Carrollwood Baptist Church and attended Shoal Creek Baptist Church when in North Carolina; Past Matron of Tampa Chapter No. 11, Order of the Eastern Star; member of Elim Temple No. 76, Daughters of the Nile; past president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the City of Tampa Fire Department.
Lila Mae was an industrious woman who loved her family, friends, and the Lord. She helped build their homes, made draperies, curtains, bedspreads and a canopy cover, covered sofa cushions, crocheted including a room-sized rag rug, quilted, painted their homes inside and out, and tended their yards full of flowers.
She is predeceased by her parents; grandchildren, Marie Thomas and Adam Risinger; and sister, Inez Hamilton Cole. Lila Mae is survived by her husband, Ben; children & son-in-law, Phyllis & Don Thomas, and Benjamin B. Risinger III; grandson, Benjamin B. Risinger IV; great-grandchildren, Lila’mae Risinger and Jason; brother, Louis A. Hamilton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Lila Mae will be held Friday, February 23, 4 PM, at Carrollwood Baptist Church, 5395 Ehrlich Road, Tampa FL 33625. Visitation with the family will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Carrollwood Baptist Church; Shoal Creek Baptist Church, 184 Shoal Creek Church Loop, Whittier NC 28789; Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa; or LifePath Hospice.
