Lillie Louise Grant, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, surrounded by family and friends in Austin. The second youngest of sixteen children, she was born on October 18, 1923, to Lonnie B. Grant and Ola Bunton Grant of Buda.
Lillie dedicated her life to the service of others and to her community. She began working for Brackenridge Hospital in the mid 1950s, becoming the head breakfast cook in 1965. After over thirty five years of service, Lillie retired from public life to focus on her love of quilt making (original designer of the Dutch Girl Pattern), gardening and caring for others. Lille founded the Antioch Cemetery Association.
She collected one-of-a-kind artifacts and mementos from her world travels with the family of Dr. Albert and Joyce La Londe, with whom she formed a deep friendship and lifelong bond. She raised their two children, David and Lisa.
Lillie was devoted to God, had an infectious laugh, and was a wise and gracious angel on earth to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed.
Lillie was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Lonnie B and Ola Bunton Grant, five brothers; James Grant, Leroy Grant, Rev. Willie B Grant, Oscar Grant, and Arthur Grant, seven sisters; Emma Lyons, Fannie Williams, Cora Davis, Lorene Dawson, Larene Grant, Mary Etta Loggins and Annie Spurell.
Those left to cherish Lillie’s precious memories are the children she raised, David La Londe of Austin; Lisa La Londe Hamaker (husband Will and three sons Powell, Reese and Lane Hamaker) of Mandeville, Louisiana; two sisters, Gladys Howard and Lola Fleming of Austin, sister-in-law Mary McGregor, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Special recognition goes to her nephew Lawrence Williams, for serving as her caregiver.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, May 10, 2013, at Grant AME Worship Center in Austin. Interment followed in Antioch Cemetery in Buda under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home.
