Lillie Bell Harris was born to the union of Mary L. Tucker Harris and Holland Harris on July 27, 1927 in Columbus, Mississippi. In 1937, she and her mother moved to East St. Louis. She was educated in the schools of East St. Louis.

Lillie accepted Christ at an early age. She became a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church where she attended faithfully and served on the Usher Board. She made sure her children were raised in Church accordingly.

In the early 1960's, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was employed at St. Mary's Hospital in East St. Louis until she retired.

Lillie was a humanitarian, an Evangelist, a poet, and a beloved mother to many in her community. She provided food for the hungry, gave clothing to those in need, and often opened her doors as shelter for the temporarily homeless. She offered spiritual guidance to those who sought her teachings, often hosting Bible studies in her home.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Larry Blanchard and Selvino Blanchard; a stepdaughter, LaDonna Hodges; a sister, Melva Lena McKinney; and two brothers, Creadel Jones, Jr. and Henry Jones.

She leaves to cherish her memory four daughters, all of Illinois: Lorraine Nichols of Cahokia Heights, Jo Ann Blanchard of Fairview Heights, Vanessa King of Belleville and Janet Blanchard-Duncan (Larry) of Wheaton; three sons Christopher and Andrew Blanchard of East St. Louis, and Bernard (LeVonia) Barefield of Belleville; two stepsons, Dennis Barefield of Collinsville, IL and David Barefield of Sugarland, Texas; two stepdaughters, both of Sugarland, Texas; Beverly (Prentice) Harver, and Vernetta Williams; one brother Kenneth Mabry and one sister, Jean Mabry, both of St. Louis, MO; several nieces and nephews, 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 19 great-great grandchildren, 7 first cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Lillie Bell Harris Middlebrook Blanchard Barefield will be certainly missed for her generosity, quick smile and fun-loving ways.