Lillie Alma Eason was born on September 2, 1940, in the Mt. Morriah Community near Arkadelphia and was the first born of six children to the union of Edward Emerson and Desarea Eason. 

Lillie gave her life to Christ at an early age at Mt. Morriah Baptist Church. She was an extremely sweet and soft spoken woman who deeply loved her family and did what she could to help them in their time of need. She was loved by her family. Lillie also loved her extensive collection of teddy bears, which she collected from all the places she traveled. 

Upon graduation from Peake High School in Arkadelphia, she attended Henderson State for one year then left to attend Texas Southern University, a historically black college in Houston, Texas. Lillie worked for the school system in Houston for a short time. Because of her academic achievements, she was able to land a position with Dow Chemical Company. With her exceptional speed and accuracy on a typewriter and her strong work ethic, she quickly worked her way up from the secretarial pool to the purchasing department. Through hard work and under the mentorship of Mr. Dabney Kennedy, she later became the Purchasing Manager for Dow’s Purchasing Department.

Lillie had a strong will for doing the right thing whether it was standing up for equality in the community and workplace or being a supportive daughter, sister and aunt for her family. Her career at Dow lasted from 1966 to 1993. Upon early retirement, she left Houston to return home to take care of her aging parents until their deaths. She also worked for Clark County for several years. 

She was a committed member of Mt. Morriah Baptist Church and traveled from her home in Hot Springs to be there with her church family until she was unable to travel because of her health.

Lillie received her heavenly wings in the early morning hours of Oct. 1, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Frances D. Nelson.

She is survived by a sister, Hazel Jefferson (Jessie); brothers, Charles Eason, Willie E. Eason (Jean) and Michael D. Eason (Vicki); sister/friend, Norma Eason; close friend/co-worker, Ms. Frances Gilbert; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and friends. 

Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery with Rev. Vernon Moody, officiating and Rev. J. L. Newborn, eulogist.