12/26/2025
Lilian Kincheloe Yoder
October 31st, 1995 ~ December 20, 2025
Celebration of life
2:00PM Sunday, December 28, 2025
Hibbs Funeral Home Chapel
Choctaw, Oklahoma.
“The numbness of [her] loss had passed, and the pain would hit me out of nowhere, doubling me over, racking my body with sobs. Where are you? I would cry out in my mind. Where have you gone? Of course, there was never any answer.” from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
It is with profound heartbreak and disbelief that we announce the passing of Lilian Kincheloe Yoder, who left this world far too soon, at the age of 30, on Saturday, December 20th, in Sumter, South Carolina. Lillie, as she was affectionately known by her friends and family, was born on October 31st, 1995, and she couldn’t have had a more fitting birthday, as she carried the fun, bold, warm, and a little mischievous spirit of Halloween with her.
Lillie was the kind of person who, no doubt, made life louder, brighter, and more meaningful simply by being in the room. From a young age, she was a natural social butterfly: confident, charismatic, and unabashedly, unapologetically herself. There was something genuinely magnetic about her, as she had a mix of confidence and humor that made her impossible not to love. In her elementary and adolescent years, she cheered competitively, a role that suited her perfectly, as she thrived on connection, energy, and bringing people together. She was spirited and bold; admittedly, a bit of a haughty spitfire, but in the best way possible, as she was never afraid to speak her mind or stand firmly in who she was.
Lillie’s magnetic personality and infectious love of life made her an extrovert in every sense of the word, a true “life of the party,” and not in a cheesy way that diminishes the meaning, or as a cliche, but as a fact because she was genuinely someone who made others, but especially her loved ones, feel seen, welcomed, fiercely protected, and excited to just be in her orbit. Whether she was lighting up a room with her perfectly timed comic relief, or passionately defending someone she loved, Lillie never went unnoticed. She loved deeply and defended the people she cared about with unwavering loyalty and passion.
Her confidence and self-assurance were some of her most admirable traits, and those who knew her well will remember her strength, her boisterous, full-body laughter, her love for a good embellishment, and her fearless opinions. She carried herself with a sense of purpose and unabashed authenticity that left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
As an adult, Lillie continued to build a life full of meaning and ambition. She proudly served in the United States Air Force, a testament to her strength, resilience, and dedication. She went on to build a family she loved fiercely and devoted herself to providing and caring for those closest to her.
Professionally, Lillie was driven and excited about her future. She had recently begun working in the legal field, first in realty law, and later, pursuing immigration law at Killen Law Firm in Sumter, South Carolina, and was eagerly looking forward to becoming a paralegal, with plans to attend school through her employer. She approached her work with the same determination and enthusiasm she brought to every part of her life.
Beyond her work, Lillie found joy in the simple and meaningful moments with her loved ones. She thoroughly enjoyed days at the beach, cherishing those days of sun, fun, and laughter with her daughter, Axyl. She also enjoyed unwinding with a good book; though, she was extremely selective with her genres, her favorites being Suzanne Collins’ dystopias.
Her home was filled with love… and cats. What began as a few foster felines grew into a beloved family of five, each of whom stayed simply because Lillie couldn’t find a way to say “goodbye” and officially re-home them. Her commitment to giving affection and care to every creature that crossed her path was a testament to who she was at her core: someone who loved fully and fiercely, and never carelessly.
Lillie is survived by her husband, Christopher (Chris) Yoder, and their daughter, Axyl, her parents, Sheldon (Shell) Kincheloe and Tuesdae Bowling, her sister, Lacey Kincheloe, her stepparents, Frances (Fran) Kincheloe and Mark Bowling, and her stepbrothers, Gary (Alex) and Jacob Venezia, and Joshua (Josh) and Kyle Bowling, as well as a wide circle of cherished friends who will carry forward her legacy of wit and comedic timing.
Above all else, Lillie will be remembered for her vibrant and charismatic spirit, her confidence, and the immense love she had for her family and friends. She leaves behind a void that cannot possibly be filled, as well as a legacy of joy, strength, and authenticity that will live on in those who love her. To her sister, she was not just family, but a best friend, a confidant, and a lifelong buffer at family gatherings, and she is so deeply missed, endlessly loved, and will never be forgotten.
“What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again.” from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
