Lillie Mae Harmon was born on February 3, 1934, to Odie V. Thompson and Minnie Mae Lindsey in Starkville, Mississippi. Lillie moved to Chicago and there she met and married Leroy Harmon, with whom they had six beautiful children. Lillie always had a huge compassionate heart and enjoyed helping people. So, she decided to search for ways to do just that, especially in the kind of work she would do. After working in a variety of jobs and various roles, Lillie found the right type of job for her at Tinley Park Mental Health Center in Tinley Park, Illinois. She took a few college courses that allowed her to advance in her career by becoming a mental health technician. Eager to become the best at what she did, she worked her way up to becoming a Mental Health Technician III for which she was very proud of for over 20 years.

Lillie Mae had many things that she really loved to do like planting her vegetable gardening every year. She grew collard greens, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, etc. in addition to harvesting fruit from her apple and peach trees to make homemade pies. She also loved to make wine and jelly from her grapevine that her husband planted. Lillie Mae was an avid reader and definitely enjoyed a good movie or two with her family.

However, more than anything else, Lillie Mae loved Jesus with her whole heart. She gave her life to the Lord at a very young age and she loved going to her sanctified church to praise and worship God. She also loved playing and singing one of her favorite songs called "When We All Get to Heaven" on her organ. She loved listening to and singing a variety of gospel music with her family, but really she just loved all kinds of music, period. One thing that Lillie was adamant about was making sure that in her appearance, she presented herself well. She took a lot of pride in how she looked; the way her hair and make up was done. All this was not just when she went to church, but it was her everyday look. She always dressed classy and very fashionable, and she always carried herself with respect and dignity even at the age of 91 years old.

In 2019, Lillie Mae came to live with her daughter Nashawn and her husband Keith and their family in Virginia because she could no longer take care of herself due to Alzeheimer's Disease. She truly enjoyed living in the south once again where she delighted in sitting under the weeping willow tree in our back yard while talking with me or her grandkids. She also enjoyed strolling around the neighborhood meeting people, playing games and doing arts and crafts, exercising, looking at fashion magazines and reading children books from the library. And yes, tapping her feet while listening to good music. Most of all, she loved eating her vanilla ice cream and her two cookies that she would ask for.

Lillie was definitely crazy about watching birds, and watching her baby videos while talking back to them. Some of her most favorite TV shows to watch were "Family Matters" and "Sanford & Son" and laughing so hard. And of course, her most precious thing to do was to hold and sing to her baby doll "Ava Mae" that she loved fiercely and gently just like a mama would.

At 8:08 am on March 14, 2025, Lillie Mae Harmon passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her two daughters, Nashawn and Sandra. Before she passed, they prayed over her, anointed her with oil, sang praise songs, and shared funny memories of their mom. Then she slipped into eternity to be with Jesus.

We rejoice knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). For those who are in Christ, we know that we will see you again. So, it is not "Goodbye" Mama, but "See You Later."

Ms. Lillie lived until she was 91 years old. Although she had severe Alzheimer's, she lived a full life. She was constantly surrounded by love, laughter, music, and dance.

S he will be leaving behind to mourn her four children, Sandra, Pamela (and husband, Fred), Rodney, and Nashawn (and husband, Keith); ten grandchildren, Raahsaan (and wife, Towanda), Ronell (and wife, Stormy), Meshonte, Gregory, Ryan, Jermaine, Spring, Tayler, Mikaela, and Nathan; and a host of great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 10:30 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:30 AM. Lillie Mae will be laid to rest following the services at Oak Hill Cemetery at 2:00 PM.