NILAH ESPY

Nilah Espy, age 89, of Cortland, Illinois passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, to be with her Lord and Savior. 

She was born July 13, 1934, to Roy and Myrtle (Ranck) Glassford in Portland, Indiana. She was raised on a beautiful farm where she was indeed a country girl who got to be a part of the wonderful benefits of growing up in the country.  It taught her to be genuine, grateful and able to find beauty in the small things in life. 

On June 20, 1954, Nilah was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Waymon Espy in Bryant, Indiana.  After marriage, the two made the journey to Illinois to begin their life together for the next 64 years.  They started a family which included Gary, Debra, and Mark.  Nilah was always there for her family.  She instilled in her children the importance of being a good mom and a good person.  She was a stay-at-home mom until her kids started school.   After that, she pursued her love for numbers which ultimately led her to be the Finance Manager at Ben Gordon Health Services for many years.   Their faith and church were very important to them both.  It was their faith that guided them throughout life. 

She is survived by her 3 children:  Gary (Michelle) Espy of Edgar Springs, Missouri, Debra (Len) Petrie of DeKalb, Illinois, and Mark Espy of Sycamore, Illinois.

She was an amazing grandma to her grandchildren:  Joe (Karshawn) Espy, Katie (Heath) Ramsden, Adrian Espy (Brian Dornberger) , Matthew Petrie (Brittney Taylor), Meghan Petrie (Anthony) Reich, Brandon Petrie, Cristen (Jon) Fay, Hailey (Michelle) Espy and Cody Espy.  She was blessed with 6 great grandchildren whom she adored.

She is now reunited with her husband Waymon, her parents Roy and Myrtle Glassford, and her siblings Clarence and Carl Glassford.  

Nilah was truly a beautiful soul that cared so deeply for her loved ones.  She will be greatly missed, until we meet again. She once told her granddaughter that she wanted to be a star when she was gone from this earth.  Her family and friends will take comfort in knowing she is shining bright for all of us.

We want to thank Prairie Crossings Living and Rehab in Shabbona Illinois for their care for our mom over the years.   The hugs and your kindness will never be forgotten.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 2 from 4 to 6 at the Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb, Illinois. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 3rd at 10am at the Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb with a graveside service following at Fairview Cemetery in DeKalb Illinois. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Espy Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, PO Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL  60115

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