Lillie Mae Ayres' Obituary
Lillie Mae Flowers Ayres, 89, began her transition to heaven on Saturday, June 28, 2014, in San Mateo, California.Lillie was born on July 29, 1924 in Lumberton, Mississippi to Jim Flowers and Alee Davis. Growing up an only child, Lillie was overjoyed when her little sister Frances was born when she was 18 years old. She went to school in Lumberton but loved to talk about her first real job at Camp Shelby, a military post in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.In the fall of 1951, Lillie left Lumberton and headed to the Bay Area, more specifically, San Mateo. Lillie made San Mateo her home for the last sixty two years until her death.After her arrival in San Mateo, Lillie worked several jobs. While living on Claremont Street, she met her Sweetheart and the Love of her life, Willis Andrew Ayres. The couple were married March 30, 1960.Married for 23 years, Lillie and Willis, made a home at 18 Thomas Court in San Mateo. Although they had no natural children of their own, they became “second parents” and God parents to many. The couple loved to entertain family and friends. They loved to travel together and were fond of the several pets they raised together; Lady, Fe-Fe and Butch. Lillie was at Willis’ side as he battled cancer. He preceded her in death on December 29, 1983.With a real zest for life, Lillie loved to dance, entertain, knit and talk on the phone with her family and friends. She loved to listen to Tom Jones and Al Green. Lillie loved to play Bingo! She looked forward to playing Bingo as much as possible at St. Timothy’s in San Mateo. When family and friends accompanied her to Bingo, they were amazed how she could play so many cards and keep up with their cards as well!Known for her ease in frequent conversation with even total strangers, Lillie enjoyed socializing. She called her sister, Frances, at least twice a day. She loved the Christmas holiday the most. She loved to decorate her house in all the Christmas trimmings and kept a tree decorated all year long. She would change the theme of the tree to match what was happening in the month.She is survived by her sister, Frances Lee Ford, numerous nephews and nieces whose photos she would share with prospective friends at the mall, Bingo, doctor’s office, etc.: Hakim (wife Carolyn, child Renee); Wade; Felicia (child Brianna); Deborah (husband Mark, children Mark, Jr, Daniel and Michael grandchildren Ilias and Ilijah); and Derenda (children Brittany, Dana, and Travis); and several in-laws, God children, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.Lillie is reunited with her husband, Willis, and is predeceased by her parents, Jim and Alee.Memorial Services will be held Thursday, July 10th at 11:00 am at Pilgrim Baptist Church, 217 North Grant Street, San Mateo, CA 94401. Interment at Sky Lawn Memorial Park.
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