Mrs. Lillie Mae Murphy

Lillie Mae Murphy (Jones) was born on December 23, 1931 in Waynesboro, Georgia to Aslean Thelma Jones and Moses L. Jones. On July 31, 2024, Lillie Mae began her celebration of life. This celebratory day is very special as it is the birth date of her first born great grandchild, Elijah Emil Murphy. Elijah and Lillie Mae had a very special bond and were very close. Although Lillie Mae was born in the early 1930's, she was an only child, which was not the norm in that era.

Lillie Mae received her education in the Augusta, Georgia school system. She gave her life to the Lord at a very young age. As a child, Lillie Mae was quite the "tomboy". Her father wanted a boy so he parented Lillie Mae as such. For example, Lillie Mae's father taught her how to drive a pick up truck at nine years old. Her mother taught her how to cook and she actually ran a restaurant at fourteen years old.

Soon after, Lillie Mae met and married Charlie Mack Murphy, an officer in the U.S. Navy. After two children, Denease and Reginal, they had plans to move up North for better housing and employment opportunities. But the relocation came to a bitter halt. Charlie Mack was killed during a race riot, later donned as the "August Six - Shots in the Back ", where he was the first person killed - shot in the back seven times. There is a documentary detailing this event called, "The Augusta Six - Shots in the Back".

After this tragic event, Lillie Mae and her children migrated here to Evanston after learning of an opportunity for domestic work from her very good friend, then late Ms. Leola Wideman. In addition to top notch domestic skills, Lillie Mae was an amazing cook. For over 30 years, Lillie Mae did domestic work and catered for special occasions that included wedding receptions, bar and bat mitzvahs.

In 1985, after the homegoing of the late Rev. E.C. Williams of Friendship Baptist Church

(in Evanston), Lillie Mae joined Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church (in Evanston) under the late Rev. Robert L. Richardson. Lillie Mae was committed to the Mothers Board and the Pastor's Aid Committee, and continued to cook for all church events.

Lillie Mae was a mother to ALL the children in the neighborhood. She often fed the entire neighborhood and made her speciality "Kool Aid" with fresh lemons and oranges. Lillie Mae often had up to ten children at a time for sleepovers. Not only did Lillie Mae raise her children, she also raised her grandchildren, Lavinia Renee, Saronita Renease and Sonia Delease. They affectionately called her "Mom".

Lillie Mae had hobbies that she enjoyed such as playing cards with her friends, listening to her favorite artist, James Brown, growing beautiful tall sunflowers, and enjoying a cold Pepsi which she labeled as her "Bourbon on the Rocks".

Lillie Mae lived a life of service, humility, strength, perseverance and dignity. Lillie Mae is certainly leaving a legacy. Those who proceeded her in death are, her parents, Aslean and Moses Jones, her children, Denease and Reginal Murphy, her husband Charlie Mack Murphy.

Lillie Mae leaves cherished memories for her grandchildren Lavinia Renee (Phillips), Saronita Renease (Wint), Sonia Delease (Murphy). Michael Preston (Murphy), D'Erin Marie (Murphy) and Reginal Emil (Murphy, Il); thirteen great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren and one Godson, Montez Cannida. Please keep the family in yours prays.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette ~ Funeral Director

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