Minnie Lee THOMAS Lilley, age 81 passed away on Friday, December 28, 2018 at her home in Daytona Beach, Florida.

She was born on April 22, 1937 in Julius, Arkansas to the late Cleveland Hezekiah and Mariah Ann COBURN Thomas. Both parents preceded her in death. She was the fourth of their seventeen children.

Minnie confessed Jesus as her Lord and Savior early in life. While living in Chicago, Illinois, she was a member of Spirit of Love Missionary Baptist church. She loved to sing at any opportunity and song on a couple of albums by Calvin Bridges.

She had a strong personality and at an early age was determined to live her life according to her own set of rules. She ran away from home at the age of 12 and went to work at Ole Mr. Decker's plantation until her sister Katherine convinced her to come live with her in Chicago.

She had two sons who preceded her in death: Matthew J. Auriene, Jr. (1961) and George Edward (Coleman) Thomas, Jr. (2018). Her first husband, Matthew J. Auriene died in 2009 and her second husband Willie T. Lilley died in 1987.

Eight siblings preceded her in death: Rudy Thomas (1980); Raymond Thomas (1981); Cleveland H. Thomas, Jr. (1993); Hulet Thomas (1995); Ollie Lee Thomas (2001) James Harvey Thomas (2006); Shirley THOMAS Kearney (2011) and Katherine THOMAS Lawrence (2013).

She is survived by her remaining siblings: Freddie THOMAS Carty of Chicago, IL; Bobbie (Marilyn) Thomas of St. Louis, MO; Clarence (Bernice) Thomas of Chicago, IL; McAuthur (Karen) Thomas of Houston, TX, and Gwendolyn THOMAS Barbee of West Memphis, AR.

Her remaining four children are: Brenda (Alban) Jervier of Chicago, IL; Orkey Auriene of Daytona Beach, FL; Phyllis Hester Warren of Palm Coast, FL and April Auriene of Jacksonville, FL. She also is survived by her grandchildren: George, LaToya (Matthew), Antoinette, Matthew, Andre, Edward, Michael, Beata, K-Lan, Antonio, LaNicky, Brandon, Orkeys, Orkey'sha, Chaka (Chris), Bedford, Jr., Parish, Michael (Crystalyn) Dawanna, Darran (Brea), Richard, Jr., and Ric'Quiah. She leaves behind twenty-four great-grandchildren, two great-great-granddaughters and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.