Lydia Adell O'Nan

Lydia Adell Powell O'Nan, 96, of Decatur, Georgia passed away on May 10, 2016.

Lydia was born in Corydon, Kentucky to Samuel Ray and Ruby Faulkner Powell on December 04, 1919 and grew up on the family farm as one of 11 sisters and brothers. She graduated from Corydon high school in 1937 as Valedictorian and then received a diploma from Bryant and Stratton Business College in Louisville, Kentucky. Lydia worked as a Civil Servant in the War Department in Washington D.C. during World War II and then for the Social Security Administration in Chicago, Illinois. She continued her education while working by attending classes at Northwestern University.

Lydia married Harry O'Nan on January 01, 1950 and took early retirement from her administrative position with the SSA. They moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1951 to rear their new family.

Lydia was a dedicated member of Druid Hills United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia for over five decades where she made many lifetime friends. She served as President of the United Methodist Women; President of WORECO Class; Superintendent of the Junior Department; taught in the Children's Division, and served on numerous committees.

Lydia enjoyed writing from an early age, especially poetry, and was a published author in many journals and publications throughout her lifetime including multiple times in the international devotional, The Upper Room. Her grandchildren, William Pugh and Amy Pugh Campos, honored her literary accomplishments by publishing "The Collected Works of Lydia P. O'Nan" for her 95th birthday and she proudly and joyfully distributed copies to family and friends. These very true words, written by William, are part of the Foreword: "Throughout her life, not only has she won awards for her writing, but Lydia has captured the hearts and minds of those who have been privileged to know her. The many facets of her personality shine through in these collected works: her whimsical humor, vast imagination, deep thought, and devotion to God."

Even though Lydia was a longtime and proud resident of Georgia she never lost her love for her native Kentucky and often could be heard paraphrasing the lyrics from the song "Kentucky" where she would say, "Bury me in the hills of Kentucky, that's where the Lord will come looking for me".

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, Harry O'Nan, and seven brothers and sisters.

Lydia is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lois Terese O'Nan Sifen and Ronald Alan Sifen; son, Harry Aubrey O'Nan; grandchildren, Amy Lois Pugh Campos, William Lewis Pugh III, and Rayna Elizabeth O'Nan; sister, Mary Virginia Powell Fridy; brothers, Roy Faulkner Powell and Thomas David Powell; and 16 nieces and nephews and their numerous children and grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors at A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home, 2773 North Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA 30033 (404-369-4717) on Thursday May 12 from 3pm till 7pm.

Funeral services will be held in Henderson, Kentucky at Rudy Rowland Funeral Home, 604 Center St Henderson, KY 42420 (270-827-9881) on Saturday May 14, 2016 at 11am.

Following the service Lydia will be buried beside her husband at Shady Grove Cemetery in Poole, Kentucky.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033