Lillie Mae Tolliver

Lillie Mae Henson-Tolliver (affectionately known as Mom Tolliver) was born on January 25, 1934 in /Baltimore, MD to Louise Gibson and James Henson. She was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools System and received her high school diploma from Dunbar High School. After losing both her father and brother, Daniel, Lillie worked as a young girl to assist her mother in caring for her two younger brothers, paying rent, and buying groceries. She learned early about loss and the hardships it could bring. Later in life, she ,et the love of her life Rollin (Charles) Tolliver. They were married on May 4, 1957 by the late minister Montague J. Brackett. Together, they raised four children; three daughter, Diane Patricia, Vanessa, Charlotte Rosalyn who proceeded her death, and one son, Rollin Clinton. As a young women of the 1950's, Lillie took on a job as a house cleaner in the Ashburton area on Dennlyn Road. As she walked along she admired the well kept homes and desired one for herself. Little did she know then that admiration would set a new course for her life. Seizing opportunities that were once limited to women but had begun to present themselves, Lillie had numerous jobs which enabled her to contribute to her household and community. The most notable were a line supervisor for the Bendex Corporation; a technician in the Johns Hopkins Physics Lab; and a line supervisor and an electrical technician for the Westinghouse Apollo 16 team. Although the particulars of her job duties were deemed classified by the federal government, it can be noted that her name is listed among those in Washington, DC for its successful flight into space and a plaque was given to honor her contributions. Westinghouse was later purchased by Northrop Grumman. It was there in which she retired. And, that dream of home ownership came to fruition in 1961 when she and Rollin purchased their home at 3504 Dennlyn Road. God has a plan. Mom Tolliver was witty, funny, and a social butterfly. Because of this, she was able to win the hearts of people at first meeting. For recreation, Mom Tolliver had many hobbies. Through her creative skills of designing and painting, she could transform a room from the color of the paint to creatively making bed sheets into curtains, chair covers, and such. She also loved to cook. Everyone was welcomed at her table. She would feed them her fried chicken, honey baked ham, leg of lamb, macaroni and cheese, buttered spinach, corn bread and her special dishes, Before eating those special dishes, everyone would wait while "Mickey" (Diane, the tester) tasted it first before they would dive in. These things will be missed. Mom Toliver would frequent the weekday bible study at Church of Deliverance Apostolic Faith when under the leadership of Bishop Jessie Carter. She visited the church so much Charles would say " Lil, if you keep going down there, you'll be just like them." Little did he know how prophetic his words were for one Sunday Morning on December 23, 2009, while under the leadership of her daughter, Diane, and current pastor, Mom Tolliver heard the voice of God and acted upon the call according to Acts 2:38 of the Holy Bible. She became repentant: called upon the Lord Jesus Christ until she received the promised gift of the Holy Ghost; and was baptized in Jesus name at the age of 75. She knew her calling and began to work in it. Mom Tolliver was the Head of the Hospitality Department of Church of Deliverance. A birthday, graduation, anniversary, or holiday did not pass without a card, a personal phone call, and/or an in-church acknowledgement. Showing love unconditionally , she made everyone feel special and no on was left out. Mom Tolliver believed in the power of prayer and the daily reading and studying God's Word. She believed in ministering to people where they were. Further , Mom Tolliver would call, visit, even lend a helping hand to those who were shut-in, often buying clothes, groceries, dinners, ect to meet the need, She looked forward to going to Church of Deliverance's Saturday street ministries where she greeted everyone with that big vibrant smile and voice that were uniquely hers. She was not short of those who loved her as she was Mom Tolliver to many. Mom Toliver had three brothers, Percel Henson, Daniel Henson, and Edward Henson; and a sister-in-law Delores who preceded her in death. Morning the lost of her husband of 65 years, Charles Tolliver ; (2) daughters: Pastor Diane P. Marshall, Vanessa Watkins; (1) one son Rollin P. Tolliver ; (2) two son-in-laws; Wendell Marshall and Craig A. Watkins, (4) four granddaughters, Patricia Jackson (Norman); Toyia Vaughn, Ninette Mints and Rebekah Watkins; (5) five grandsons; Wendell Moody;(Craig Watkins,Jr,); Wendell Marshall, Christopher Tolliver, and Donnie Toliver; (4) four sister-in-laws, Joan Tolliver-Walker, Linda Dedrick, Greta Tolliver, and Patty Jo Tolliver; sixteen (16) great-grandchildren; one (1)great-great granddaughter and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Tributes

Lillie Mae Tolliver

January 25, 1934 - December 30, 2022