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LILLIAN L. SIMMONS was born December 25, 1920 to the late William Simmons and Estelle M. Waddy in Lancaster, Virginia at 8:00 p.m. Lillian’s mother spent Christmas day in preparation for her arrival. Her spirit peacefully transitioned home on August 2, 2021 at 8:35 a.m. Lillian completed her early education in Virginia and later moved to Baltimore, Maryland where she was employed by the Ottenheimer family as a domestic worker. Lillian married Percy Hardy Jr. in 1953. Her joys in life were attending church services and spending time with her family during the holidays, special celebrations, travel, family activities, playing fun games, singing, and listening to music. All her music was neatly organized in a briefcase. Lillian accepted Christ at an early age. In Baltimore she joined the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Samuel B. Redd on March 11,1963, where she became an active member until her health prevented her from doing so. Lillian was appointed to the Deaconess Board and received a Certificate of Appreciation for serving on the Mass and Sanctuary Choirs by Pastor Charles E. Coger. Lillian Hardy and Bernard Hale were married April 6, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland by Rev. Samuel B. Redd. Deaconess Lillian received the State of Maryland Governor’s Citation in appreciation of her outstanding services to the citizens of Maryland in 1996 by Governor Parris Glendening. She received the City of Baltimore’s Citizen Citation for devoted service to Mt. Ararat Baptist Church and the Citizens of Baltimore in 1996 by Mayor Kurt Schmoke. Lillian was appointed to serve as a Republican Chief Election Judge in 2004 by Baltimore City. Maryland Centenarians Committee awarded the Certificate of Appreciation to her in recognition for reaching a milestone of 100 or more golden years of wisdom in May 2021. Her favorite passage of scripture was Psalm 23 which during the last months of her life, she recited verbatim. Lillian was preceded in death by her husband Bernard, her parents, her sister Ernestine E. Shoemaker and brother Edward Trower. She leaves behind a legacy of love and faithfulness. Left to honor her memory are many nieces and nephews, extended family, and the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church family

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Deaconess Lillian L. Hale

December 25, 1920 - August 2, 2021