of Conway, AR

August 23, 1944 - May 19, 2024

Julia Annell Kilman was born on August 23, 1944 in Morrilton, Arkansas. She was the fourth child born to Porter Richard and Alma Lavada Warden Tipton, the first to be born in a hospital. All of Annell's early years were spent in Conway or Morrilton, depending on where her father, a truck driver, was employed. Annell graduated from Conway High School in 1962 with honors. She was part of the graduating class that helped desegregate Conway High School.

During her senior year, she was hired at Virco and entered the workforce. The following year, she had her first son, Brian David. Within a couple of years, Annell began to work for Hendrix College for her Jr. High principal, Wilburn Smith. Because there was no maternity leave at the time, she quit her job when her second son, Richard Allen, was born. She was later employed by Twin Table and Furniture Company for seven years. She also worked for Lindsey Petroleum Company and as a manager at Associated Farmer's Cooperative.

In 1984, she married Darrell Kilman, a professor of mathematics at UCA. In mid-January of 1986, she entered UCA as a first-semester freshman majoring in Early Childhood Education, and while there was on the Dean's List each semester and was named a Presidential Scholar. After completing her bachelor's degree in three years, she taught at Sallie Cone Elementary, mostly Kindergarten. Before retirement, she returned to school and received her master's degree.

Annell was a devoted prayer warrior. She was always the first to pray over anyone in need and at family gatherings. She prayed steadfastly in both hard times and times of joy. She was a long-time member of 2nd Baptist church, serving on various committees, teaching the four-year-old Sunday School class and Vacation Bible School and attending weekly prayer meetings. Annell loved reading, whether to her grandkids or great-grandkids or her kindergarteners. She had different voices for the characters which made reading fun.

She leaves behind two sons, Brian David Wahl and Richard Allen Wahl (Rita); grandchildren, Cathleen Palmer (Michael), Gretchen Freyaldenhoven (Matt), Christopher Kilman (Kristin), Ashley (Nick) Johnson, Renee Kilman, Darryl Kilman, Amy Dane (Greg), Zack Kilman (Larissa), Abby Spates (Jonathan), Rodney Jones (Jenny); great-grandchildren, Eva Palmer, Zackary Palmer, Bentley Freyaldenhoven, Levi Freyaldenhoven, Diesel Kilman, Claire Johnson, Killian Johnson, Parker Dane, Owen Dane, Wesley Jones and siblings, Johnnie McCammon (Louis), Rue Nell Shields, Guy Tipton. She is preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Kilman; stepsons, Kendall Kilman and James Kilman; her brother, Mark Tipton and brother-in-law, Roger Shields.

She also leaves behind a host of friends; her small group at 2nd Baptist Church, the "Coneheads" and the Widow's Group.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Conway Ministry Center or 2nd Baptist Church.

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