Lillie Mae Ville Passes
Lillie Mae Ville was put to rest on Friday, September 15, 2023. The service was held at New St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, located at 26 Shelby SW in Grand Rapids. The officiating pastor was Pastor Lynn Mitchell.
Lillie Mae Ville was born in Moor head, Mississippi to Apollus Thomas Stewart and Mary Collins Stewart on October 3, 1927. At that time, the family resided with the dad's mother on her farm with many acres. Her dad's mother Supposedly lost her farm due to back taxes. During that time period, many Black owned farms were taken under the guise of back taxes owed.
After her dad's mother no longer owned her farm, the family relocated to Clarksdale, Mississippi to live on their mother's farm also with many acres. Today this farm is still owned by family members.Lillie Mae enjoyed growing up with many siblings and cousins. She had a fun childhood. During early grade school, Lillie Mae attended the school in the area where she resided. There was no bus transportation for minorities. Because of this, her parents enrolled her in Saints Academy, a private 1-12 school for Black children located in Lexington, Mississippi. The distance from her home to the academy was a two hour drive, therefore, Lillie Mae had to live on campus in the dormitory because of the great distance from her home.
Lillie Mae go married at an early age. She first married Roland Carter who everyone mostly called RC, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. As Lillie Mae continued to mature into adult hood, she later married Dave Ville.
She was a proud and loving mother of six children. During the holidays, her children, other family members and friends couldn't wait for her to cook those tasty sweet potato pies.
Lillie Mae enjoyed fishing. She could fish for hours and did so. On many occasions, she would take young family members with her and showed them how to fish as well.
During her work career, Lillie Mae held different positions. She was a n employee of the famous Pantlind Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, Metropolitan (Metro) Hospital when it was located on Boston St., and loved being a grandparent in the Head Start Program.
Early in her youth, Lillie Mae and her siblings got a strong foundation for the church from their mom and dad. She enjoyed Sunday services. Lillie Mae let her faith in the Lord guide her. She was a member of the Usher Board, attended Sunday School, as well as sang in the choir.
Lillie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, her son Kevin Ville, daughter Wanda Daniel, her seven brothers; Samuel Stewart, Virgil Stewart, Fred Stewart, Floyd Stewart, George Stewart, James Stewart and Cary Stewart and two sisters: Dorothy Mae Stewart and Reola Stewart.
She leaves to cherish her memories her two sons: James War Carter and Ronald Ville, two daughters: Daisy Saunders and Juanita Ville, her sister , Barbara (John) Large, 14 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren and a host of cousins and friends.
The family of Lillie Mae Ville gratefully acknowledges with sincere appreciation the many prayers, cards, expressions of love and other acts of kindness shown during the loss o their loved one.
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