Lionel’s coffin and grave, Foster Creek, Madison County, NC, 2022.
Lionel Filiss was a complicated man who loved simplicity. He eschewed modernity in most ways and chose to live his life close to the land he loved. He requested a simple coffin, a cardboard box; I’m sure to save his family money, but also as his son Alex said in his eulogy, to speed up the process for his next journey. Magic markers were on hand and everyone left a message on the box. He also loved flowers. His message for those of us who remain is one we all should heed.
