Lillie W Brown
September 17, 1921 - July 8, 2008
Obituary
Lillie Williams was born on September 17, 1921 in Columbia, Louisiana; she was one of 19 children born to the Union of James Edward Williams and Lillie Payne Williams.
On July 8, 2008 at 1:55am, our dearest Lillie was called into the arms of the Lord.
Lillie accepted Christ into her life at an early age, she was a member of the Locust Grove Baptist Church in Columbia, Louisiana. Lillie only completed her schooling up to grade eight; however she could read, write, spell, and calculate her money as if she were a college graduate. Later in life Lillie met Sonny Clay, they married on June 21, 1937, to their union 15 precious children was born. They were married until his passing November 1972.
In 1966 Lillie moved to Seattle, Washington where she began working in the janitorial field and later became a Nursing Assistant, she had a passion for helping others. Upon arriving in Seattle Lillie joined the Greater Mount Baker Baptist Church, at the time under the leadership of Reverend Johnson. Lillie was a faithful member of her church until her health began to fail her in 2005, however Lillie continued to listen and watch her ministries.
In the early 1980’s Lillie met and married Velguster Brown, they resided in Moses Lake, Washington where she was an active member of Missionary Baptist Church; he passed in the late 1980’s. Upon returning to Seattle Lillie was an active member in the Seattle Public School system, attending many PTA meetings. Lillie was a very giving, caring, and loving Mother; she loved all of her children individually but equally.
Lillie loved to cook especially Sunday dinners, if you were in the kitchen with her you would definitely leave with a new recipe. Her favorites were fried catfish, greens, and whole baked yams. Lillie received great joy out of helping others whether it was friends, family or a stranger. She was loved by all she came in contact with young and old, she even raised some of her grandchildren as if her own.
Lillie was the person everyone would go if we had a problem, news; good or bad, or just needed some good advice. If you went to her she would definitely give you her opinion without any sugar coating. Lillie loved the Word and passed that love for the Lord onto her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
Mother leaves to cherish her memory and loving spirit to 13 children; Bobbie Jean Harriot, Carolyn Johnson, and Catherine Kelly from Dallas, TX; Ruby Lynn Edwards of Corpus Christi, TX; from Monroe, LA; Calvin Clay, Sonny Freeman Clay, Cassius Louis Clay; from Seattle, WA; Marilyn Black, Deborah Ann Fletcher, Diane Clay, Oliver Clay, Anthony Tyrone Clay, Ronald Glen Clay, one sister; Annie Lovings of St. Louis Missouri, and a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Proceeded in death by James and Lillie Williams; parents, Sonny Clay and Velguster Brown; husbands, Belinda Lynn Christopher; daughter Willie James Clay; son, and seventeen siblings.
Sharing with you all our condolences and warm wishes…Erica Williams and Family
My Grandmother was a great person inside and out, she did love her family tremendously, flaws and all. I will truly miss her unit the day I pass, I Love you Grandma. I would like to thanks all of those who have called, send cards, and flowers, thank you.
I would like to take the opportunity to offer my condolences to my family. Aunt Lillie will be truly missed by us all. I remember the days back in Columbia, LA Ward 7 as a little girl my Mom Olga Rita Wiley of Detroit would send me and my sisters and brother to Columbia for the summer. There I had the opportunity to get to know Aunt Lillie. One of my fondest memories was spending a day at Aunt Lillie’s house. My cousins and sisters decided to go swimming in the river and that was the beginning of, guess what, big trouble. But not for me, I was of course too young to know better. However, I knew that they were in trouble. Many years after that Aunt Lillie would come to Detroit and visit rather for a funeral, wedding or the need to help and assist her sisters or brothers. Aunt Lillie always showed how much she loved her family. She was never too busy to listen or help you in anyway she could. I love my family and I am very glad for all the times we were able to see one another at family reunions Monroe, New Orleans and Newport Beach, CA those were a few of the ones that I remember attending and Aunt Lillie and many of her children and grandchildren attended. Please cousins be encourage and know that your Mom/Grandmother is at rest in the arms of the Lord and has joined all the family members that have gone on before. I know you will miss her, but the Lord will be there to ease the burden and loss of your Mom. God Bless each of you and I hope to see you all again at another George Williams Reunion.
Love,
Sherll
To My Cousins,
Prays are with you as you all go the last mile with Aunt Lillie. She is at peace now. Keep you trust in God and he will takes care of you.
Love Always,
Juanita Aunt Lillie’s sister, Ethel Wiley’s daughter
The Butler and Besteman Families of Washington State extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Clay. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God has added another Angel to the Heavenly Choir, an Angel that left a tremendous legacy for famuly and friends. To God be the Glory for All He has done.
We love you and will miss you dearly. You will always have a special place in our hearts. May you rest peacefully.
From your grand daugher Sylvia, I will remember our conversations and the good times that we shared together. To all of the sisters and brothers grandma has lived a good 86 years, and she will always be with you.
Sorry for your lost. I will keep the family in my prayer.
May God bless and keep you and your family always. Remember our Savior God is with us and for us. Rejoice in the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.
To my precious cousins,
May God give you peace and comfort during this time of breavement of the loss of your Mother and my aunt and cousin. The precious memories and wonderful lessons that she taught you will sustain and comfort you.
Love your cousin, Lillie Frances Ella Ethel Payne Liddell
THANK YOU
Dearest Ruby and Family,
Just know we are praying for the Lord to strengthen you daily. May He fill your days with peace. Take hold to God’s unchanging hand. We will keep you all in our prayers. In Christ Name….The Bell Family
To My counsins, We are praying for you all. I know the pain you are feeling and I know that God is able to help you get through this time. In the home going of Aunt Lille. I’m Rita Wiley’s daugther from Detroit.
Love you much Lin
To my family,
Just wanted to let you know that we are praying for you during this time. This is a difficult time and I want you to know that I wish that I could be there with you. This is your cousin Connie from Detroit, MI. I am the daughter of Thelma Smith aunt Lillie’s sister.
Love you,
Connie
I NEVER KNEW I HAD FAMILY IBN DETROIT
sorry for your lost we love you and thinking about you, we have you in our prays, loretta,vonda , misty taylor& byron rogers.
Our prayers and thoughts are with each of you during this time, may God be with you and keep you strong
We are so sorry for your loss. May God be with you at this time. We are praying for you and your family.
TO RUBY AND ALL THE FAMILY;I PRAY FOR CALM,UNITY AND AN ABUNDANCE OF LOVE AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.I PRAY GOD WILL WRAP HIS ARMS AROUND EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.
I MISS YOU GRANDMA. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING OVER US.
I LOVE YOU.