Lillie Mae Stovall-Thomas

The sun rose on the life of Lillie Mae Thomas on January 19, 1923 when she was born the union of Acey and Birda Payne Stovall in Okolona, Arkansas. She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Burdette, Arkansas. Lillie was a graduate of Burdette High School in Burdette, Arkansas. In search of a better life she moved north to Illinois where she settled in the city of Chicago. There she met and married Nulee Thomas. Although they had no children she played a very active role in raising and nurturing her nieces and nephews. Lillie’s golden accomplishment in life was to make a loving home that would produce a tapestry of memories her family would forever cherish. She joined Concord Baptist Church where she served faithfully as the church mother and choir director for several years. While living in Chicago she began working at Palmer House – Hilton Hotel in Chicago. She was a dedicated and faithful employee who in turn was promoted to hotel supervisor. After her health began to fail she relocated to Lexington, Nebraska with her nephew Dennis, where she lived until her transition. On Monday, October 26, 2009 in her 86th season the sun set on her life at her home in Lexington, Nebraska. Lillie was welcomed home by her loving husband, Nulee Thomas, two sisters Ola Faye Robinson and Velma Stovall, and one brother A. C. Stovall. Because love is far greater than death she departs this earth in body only. Her gentle spirit lives on in the memories, minds and hearts of her nephew whom she loved as a son, Dennis James (Arletta) Hines of Lexington, NE; two nieces, Ronna Stovall Taylor of Stockton, CA; and Felisha Stovall Williams of Arkadelphia, AR; three god-daughters, Mary Marshall, Eura Lee Green and Ann Neal all of Chicago, IL; and a caravan of great nieces, nephews, cousins, countless friends, and the Concord Baptist Church family. Mrs. Thomas will lie in state on Monday, November 9, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Okolona, Arkansas where Rev. Larry Mitchell is the pastor. Rev. Kenneth Phelps the pastor of Concord Baptist church in Chicago, Illinois will preach the celebration message. The committal service and final resting place will be in First Baptist Cemetery.