Dorris and Huda Lillard remembered for volunteerism, generosity

Athens, Ga. (April 20, 2026) -- During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, Piedmont Athens Regional is honoring the memory of two beloved Auxiliary members whose legacy of kindness continues to shape the hospital today, Drs. Dorris and Huda Lillard.

The longtime volunteers, who passed away in May and June 2025, devoted decades of service to Piedmont Athens Regional and quietly planned for their generosity to continue long after their deaths through a planned gift to the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation.

Together, the Lillards contributed more than 16,000 volunteer hours over more than 40 years of service. A familiar and welcoming presence in the Pink Posy Gift Shop, the husband-and-wife team also served in various roles on the Auxiliary board, always offering their time, talents and steady support without seeking recognition.

Dr. Huda Saba Lillard volunteered at Piedmont Athens Regional for more than 20 years, accumulating more than 8,000 hours of service. A research scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, she immigrated to the United States as a teenager and embraced every opportunity that followed. After earning her doctoral degree in food science and building a career dedicated to public health research, she chose to volunteer as her way of giving back.

When asked what inspired her years of service, Huda’s answer was simple: she felt fortunate and wanted to return that good fortune to her community.

Her husband, Dr. Dorris Alton Lillard, also volunteered for more than 20 years, also dedicating more than 8,000 hours to the hospital. A retired professor of food science at the University of Georgia, Dorris was known for his warmth, consistency and love of working alongside Huda. Married for more than 60 years, the couple shared a passion for travel, education, and helping others.

Though they had no children, the Lillards were intentional about ensuring what they had would benefit others. Following their deaths, their planned gift to the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation will help support patients, families and staff for years to come. They also established the Dorris Lillard Scholarship Foundation, extending their commitment to education and service.

Those who knew them remember a couple defined by quiet generosity. They showed up week after week, followed the rules, supported their team and gave back simply because it mattered.

As Piedmont Athens Regional celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week, the hospital community remembers Dorris and Huda Lillard with gratitude, not only for the thousands of hours they volunteered, but for the continued impact of their thoughtful giving.

Their story is one of many that reflect the heart of volunteerism: service that changes lives, kindness that ripples outward and generosity that lasts well beyond a lifetime.

To all Piedmont Athens Regional volunteers, past and present, thank you for the positive difference you make in every life you touch.