Lillian Roy

LILLIAN “LEE” ROY, was the daughter of James Hardie Thomas and Millie Thomas. She was born in Bassett, Virginia on January 21, 1920. she was raised with her four sisters and brother. On September 30, 2010, she was called home to rest in the comfort of her Heavenly father. Lillian, affectionately known as “Lee” to most, was educated in Bassett, Virginia, having a favorite teacher by the name of Mr. Harris. It was there that she met and fell in love with her husband, George W. Roy. They were married in June of 1939. Through this blessed union, five children were born; Ollie M. Punnett, Jessie A. Bland, Jasper L. Roy, George A. Roy and Nancy Roy-Duckett. They decided to buy land and start their own business in the form of a grocery store in Bassett, Virginia. In 1952, the family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland where they continued to own and operate numerous businesses. Among their many joint ventures was a Phillip “66” Service Station located on Pine Street and Saratoga Street from 1964 to 1970. They sold Christmas trees for the holiday for fifty years; two antique/ thrift shops known as “P&R Bargain Shop” located at Liberty Heights Avenue and one at Walbrook Junction which was later moved to 55051/2 Reisterstown Road. To this day, that very same shop on Reisterstown Road continues to thrive from the sweat and hard work she put in making it a success. Numerous grandchildren would call the shop their first experience of employment and hard work. She also owned and ran a moving and hauling business. She accepted Christ at an early age. She joined Sweet Hope Free Will Baptist Church, located at 3925 Dolfield Avenue in 1970 where she sang on the Senior Choir No. 1, served as a member of the Flower Circle, and was a faithful member. Through her faith and strong Christian belief, she always prayed for each and every one of her family members. Lillian enjoyed life. She liked to travel, shop and tend to her garden. She was very family-oriented. She enjoyed cooking and baking for everyone. Family gatherings just weren’t right until she made sure everyone was fed. Lillian opened her home to anyone in need. She would take in entire families and once they got “on their feet” they would move out and another family would move in. her family could always be found selling something: flowers, candy apples, watermelons and snowballs. She will surely be missed by those who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband George W. Roy and her son, Jasper L. Roy and all of her siblings. She leaves to cherish her memory: four children, Ollie M. Punnett, Jessie A. Bland, George A. Roy and Nancy Roy-Duckett; son-in-law, Theodore Bland; daughter-in-law, Aquanetta Roy; twenty-one grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Tributes

Lillian Roy

January 21, 1920 - September 30, 2010