Lilyann Mitchell was born on June 29, 1931 in Greenville, Mississippi to parents, Augustine and Ivory Jackson. She was the second of six children. Lilyann was named after her maternal grandmother, Lillie, a feisty part African-American, part Irish and part Cherokee Indian.

Her dedicated, loving mother, Augustine introduced all of her children to God at an early age, having them christened into her own Catholic Church at 6 weeks old. The children attended Catholic School in Greenville.

Her mother moved the children to St. Louis, Missouri when she was nine years old, enrolling them in public school. Lilyann accepted leadership roles in church, afterschool programs, YWCA and other community events and girl scout projects. She began writing poems, stories, and a column in the local newspaper when she was ten years old. Lilyann thanked her maternal grandmother for helping her family to readjust and thrive.

Lilyann moved to Sacramento, CA in 1992 to join her children. She soon became a member of Allen Chapel AME Church and continued to serve God until God called her home.

Lilyann LOVED Allen Chapel! She served in many auxiliaries including serving as President of Class Leaders Council, member of the Stewardess Board, Sarah Allen Women's Missionary Society, Sunday School Teacher, wrote holiday plays, poetry, awesome ministry to sick and shut in. Lilyann represented Allen Chapel at many community events. She also served in many other capacities that the Pastor and Church would need her services.

Lilyann strived to put God first in her life and prayed that her family would have stronger faith and love the Lord, as she desired to live a Christian lifestyle.

Primarily, she liked to be known as a person who always took time to help others academically, in assisting with job placement, with personal and family problems and as a genuine friend.

Lilyann was proud to say she graduated from Charles Sumner High School, Hubbard Business College and Webster University (majoring in English and Journalism) in St. Louis, Missouri. She later earned hours towards her Master's Degree from San Jose State University in San Jose, California.

Lilyann always considered herself a blessed child of God. She was grateful and proud of her children: Craig (her first born, now deceased), Claudia, Debbie, Claude Michael, and bonus child, Raymond Frazier.

Lilyann married early in her adult life to her high school sweetheart, Claude Mitchell, but divorced much later in her life.

Lilyann has received over 35 plaques, trophies, and other awards during her blessed and exciting career for outstanding professionalism as a teacher, Administrator, Director, Writer, Public Relations and Promotions Specialist and Coordinator in various cities in America.

Her biography is printed in four publications, including; two editions of "Who's Who among outstanding Black Americans, "Who's Who in the World of Women" (printed in Cambridge, England) and "Outstanding Women of Missouri" (published by Delta Sigma Theta in Missouri).

Lilyann has interviewed several United States Presidents, including President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter aboard the U.S. Presidential Plane, Air Force One.

As a writer, she has won several awards for her writing about U.S. Presidents. She was offered a key position on President Jimmy Carter's staff in Washington D.C., but rather chose to accept a position writing proposals and directing programs to educate and train low-income, at-risk high school drop-outs in San Jose, CA.

Lilyann has been highly praised for writing and directing many successful proposals to benefit these students. Her career achievements include: Assistant to the International Director of Public Relations and Promotions, Assistant Editor of the Missouri International Brotherhood of Teamsters Newspaper and all other magazines and publications; Administrative Assistant to a Director of Public Relations and Promotions for Anheuser-Busch-St. Louis, Missouri. U.S. Federal Government: Director of Public Relations/Promotions –WTVS Channel 56-TV – Detroit Public Television Station. Staff Writer/Public Relations, United Auto Workers, Detroit Michigan: United Press International (UPI)- Staff Writer - Detroit, Michigan Bureau Deputy to the Mayor, Highland Park Michigan; Special Assistant to the President, Shan College at Detroit, MI. Acting Editor, Chief Staff Writer, St. Louis Argus Newspaper; and contributing writer for several publications, including promoting EBONY/JET Magazines.

Lilyann's part time position in St. Louis included promoting all of the Motown Entertainment along with other top level artists. She also coordinated the first citywide voter registration drive, bringing Rev. Jessie L. Jackson and his staff from Chicago, Illinois, Rev, C.L. Franklin (Aretha Franklin's father), and many others to St. Louis in support. These efforts contributed to the election of the first black citywide office, Sheriff Benjamin L. Goins.

Lilyann also coordinated the first citywide Voter Registration Drive, bringing the Rev. Jessie L Jackson and his staff from Chicago, Illinois, Rev. A.D. King (Dr. M.L., Kings Brother), Rev. C.L. Franklin (Aretha Franklin's Father), and many others to St. Louis in support. These efforts contributed to the election of the first black citywide office, Sheriff Benjamin L. Goins.

Lilyann was listed as the only promoter of an exhibition fight featuring her dear friend, then the world heavyweight champion of the world, Muhammed Ali, to benefit Shaw College in Detroit, Michigan. This event raised enough money successfully to pay for the library. Lilyann worked very closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on several occasions, and helped to coordinate fundraisers for Mrs. Coretta Scott-King as she was building the Martin Luther King Jr. center for social change in Atlanta, GA. She traveled with her close friend, Rose Parks to Atlanta to participate in the annual birthday fundraiser for Dr. King's Center. She also attributed Alex Haley, Author of "Roots" as one of her dearest friends.

With all that has been said about Lilyann J Mitchell… there was NOTHING more important to her than GOD and her family. She spent her last years wrapping her love around her children, seventeen grandchildren, and thirty three great grandchildren. Believe it or not… she had a personal relationship with each and every one of them. She knew and celebrated each one of their birthdays and was very much part of their everyday lives. It was a must that she attend their shorting activities and any other events that they were involved in. Believe it or not… Lilyann always knew when one of her grandchildren had something troubling going on and needed her special TLC and attention…. She was always there to comfort them. She knew all about it! There were often times that her grandchildren confided in her even more often than with their own parents.

Lilyann left a LEGACY that we will all hold on to FOREVER. It will be carried on from generation to generation. She taught us how to love and the value of family.

Lilyann always said that she wanted to be remembered as a child of God and she would always say that her father is rich and provided all of her needs.

There is one thing that we do know…. Lilyann loved life and she lived it to the fullest! She often thanked God and her mother for allowing her to live, love, and experience such a blessed life, family, and career.

Lilyann will be greatly missed… Life will not be the same without her. Lilyann was proceeded by both of her parents, Ivory and Augustine, aunt's - Roxy, Lillie B., Jennie, and Florence, siblings - James, Ivory, Calvin and Joyce, her oldest son, Craig, as well as grandchildren Michele and Edward.

Lilyann is survived by her children; Claudia (Ed), Debbie, Claude Michael, and Ray Frazier. She is also survived by; her 17 grandchildren, 33 grandchildren, her "Baby sister" Vernida, a Host of Cousins, Nieces, nephews and friends in St. Louis Missouri, Chicago, Indianapolis, Indiana, Los Angeles and Sacramento.