Lillian Graham Hawthorne Jones a.k.a. “Lil,” “Mom” “Grams” was one of a kind woman who lived her life to the fullest, gave her heart, time and attention to her family and community, and quietly broke barriers, blazed trails and brightened the world she graced.
Lillian was born on April 26, 1934 in Meigs, Georgia, to Leola and Ulysses Graham. In 1941, Lillian and her younger brother James moved to Youngstown, Ohio with their parents who traveled north in search of a better life for their family.
Even as a youngster, Lil was always industrious and often a “first.” At 14, she landed her first job, working as a clerk in a neighborhood grocery store where she learned to stock shelves and run the cash register.
A talented and dedicated student, Lillian attended South High School where she was elected to the National Honor Society.
Always a “multi-tasker,” Lillian juggled her roles as a young wife and mother and student at Youngstown State University, earning a B.S. in Education. During this time, she became the first director of the Pearl Street Methodist Center Head Start Program and later was the first person of color to work for the F.W. Woolworth Co. in Youngstown, Ohio. She also found the time to serve as Youth Advisor to the Youngstown chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a Cub Scout den mother.
In 1971, Lillian moved to Maryland where she was an elementary school teacher in the Montgomery County Public Schools.
In 1975, Lillian married Nathaniel R. Jones and moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey. Shortly thereafter, Lillian was recruited by the HoHoKus Public Schools, where she taught elementary school; her caring, special skills and expertise in teaching children led the school district to designate her a Specialist in Individualized Instruction.
When Nathaniel was appointed in 1979 by Jimmy Carter to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, he and Lillian moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Over the past 32 years, Lillian has become a beloved member of her adopted community. Among the numerous organizations to which Lillian lent her time and talent are: the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Every Child Succeeds, Dress for Success, NAACP, Cincinnati Opera, and the Alice Paul House.
Although Lillian never sought accolades or attention for her work, she was honored by the Cincinnati Enquirer as a 2003 Woman of the Year: “Lillian Jones has a heart big enough for a husband, three sons, a daughter, six grandchildren-and more than 1,600 little kids who don’t even know her.”
Lillian leaves her devoted husband, Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, three sons, William Hawthorne of Atlanta, Rick Hawthorne of Cincinnati, Marc Hawthorne of Atlanta, a daughter, Stephanie Jones of Washington, DC; her brother James Graham of Cincinnati, six adored grandchildren: Lauren Hawthorne, Tayler Hawthorne, Christopher Hawthorne, Brooke Hawthorne, Cory Hawthorne and Sydney Hawthorne; three daughters-in-law, D’Anna Logan Hawthorne, Stephanie Mitchell Hawthorne and Celeste Perry Hawthorne; two sisters-in-law, Lula Graham and Allie Jean Wooten; nieces Felicia Graham and Carlisa Graham; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Lillian Graham Hawthorne Jones was a daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, friend. Her taste in clothes, design and art was exquisite. Her lilting soprano voice could caress light opera, belt the blues, croon Christmas carol and tickle grandbabies’ fancies with silly songs. She made the best turkey sandwiches ever. She was beautiful and sweet and funny and fun. She made our world so much more beautiful, elegant and special.
Lillian was and always will be our superstar-our exceptional, extraordinary, and enduring jewel.