Lockhart Legend Rides
Ahead
Back in December of 2007 I decided to attend a local
Children’s Christmas Party that I had been on a Toy Run for earlier in the
year. The place was packed with hundreds
of children and their families with Santa and Mrs. Clause on a stage giving
each child a present. I hung around for
a while and then started to get my gear on to ride back home. On my way out the door, I was stopped by Mrs.
Clause (all 4 foot 8 of her).
She thanked me for coming and said she had some head wraps
for the bikers who had done the toy run.
I took one, thanked her, and continued on my way. She grabbed my arm, looked at me and said
“from now on you do my biker stuff”. I
politely explained to her that I couldn’t, I didn’t know anything about runs
aside from going to them, and continued to try and leave. That was when I learned that Miss Lilly Serna
doesn’t take no for an answer. 20
minutes later I was allowed to leave, only after agreeing to meet with her at
her bar in town (Lilly’s) to discuss the next toy run that I would apparently
be putting on.
The first toy run was a bit disappointing, raising only a
little over $700 for the Christmas Party, but she refused to let me quit. In November of 2014 we held the 7th
Annual Toy Run benefiting the 50th Annual Miss Lilly’s Children’s
Christmas Party and raised just shy of $12,000.
Over the years the core group of local bikers involved in
the planning and hosting of the toy run has continued to grow and we now have
bikers from all over Texas show up for the event, no matter what the weather. This last year bikers from AR, UT, ND and
other states sent items for the live auction.
“Her Bikers” are now nationwide.
Miss Lilly was a lady with a heart of gold, dedicated to
making sure that ALL children had a Christmas every year. She loved her family and she loved “Her Bikers”
and kept an eye on us all, helping anyone when they needed it. She was a legend- a tower of strength that
all looked up to and respected.
Miss Lilly left us on February 4th at the age of
82. She passed peacefully at her daughter’s home surrounded by the family she
loved so much. On February 7th
we were able to fulfill her last request to us, “Her Bikers”: she had asked us
to escort her on her final ride home.
With the assistance of Eeds funeral home, the Caldwell County Sherriff’s
office, and the San Marcos and Lockhart Police Departments, Her Bikers led her
to St. John’s Church in San Marcos for her services and then to her family
ranch outside of Lockhart for burial in the family cemetery. It was a beautiful day and a good ride.
A legend has ridden ahead, but her legacy remains. With her daughter Lydia and her family,
Shellie and I and Miss Lilly’s Bikers will continue what she started.
You had a good long
ride Miss Lilly, we’ll catch up with you down the road.
Chuck Keplar