Mrs. Lillian (Ross) Hudson was born on April 5, 1926 to the union of Eddie Ross and Fannie (Griffin) Ross. She was the sixth child of seven children. She is survived by her brother, Clyde Ross. Her sisters, Ruth (Ross) Robertson and Fannie Mae (Ross) Cole, and brothers, Walter, John and Frank Ross preceded her in death.

Lillian fell in love and married her high school sweetheart, Hillard Hudson, Sr. on February 28, 1944. Their marriage lasted 64 years until Hillard's death on March 16, 2008. Lillian was a devoted and loving mother to her six children: Hilda (Hudson) Mason, James Hudson, Alphonzo Hudson, Hillard Hudson, Jr. (Deborah), Gladys Hudson Jenkins (Wilbert) and Michael Hudson (Earline), who also preceded her in death. In her younger years, Lillian worked at Woolworth Department store and for School District 189, both of East St. Louis, Illinois.

Lillian accepted God at an early age. She and Hillard were members of Mount Olive Baptist Church in East St. Louis for 50 years. She served as an active member of the choir. Lillian and Hillard moved to Lebanon, Illinois in August, 2007, where they united with the Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church and she proudly served on their mother's board. Lillian was very gifted in the art of craft. She loved to sew. She made hats, scarfs, and decorated tissue boxes. Lillian also enjoyed embellishing shoes. She is best known for making and designing dolls and their clothing. Lillian made her transition on Feb. 17, 2017.

Lillian also loved and spent lots of time with her family and friends. She leaves behind 25 grandchildren: Sheryl (Mason) Johnson, Terrence Mason, Damon Mason, Derayvia (Mason) Adams (Will), James Hudson, Jr., Yolanda (Hudson) Johnson (Alvin), Darwyn Hudson (Chanieca), Lamont (Canya) Hudson, Valerie Hudson, Andrea (Hudson) Edwards (Jerrill), Albeshiany Hudson, Trevon Brown, Claud Brown, Annette Singleton, LaRhonda Golliday, Bernadette Golliday, Dee Golliday, Teresa (Jenkins) Riddle, Nina (Jenkins) McLean, Wilbert Jenkins III (Kary), Jessica (Jenkins)Dansberry(Tony), Charmille Hudson, Zeron Hudson, Hillard Hudson III, Demarcus Hudson. Lillian also leaves over 50 great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Geraldine (Hudson) Jenkins, Ruby Hudson and Willie Mae (Hudson) Long.