Lillie Whitmore-Jones

Who was this remarkable woman who impacted the lives of so many people in so many ways? Since her transition so many who knew and loved her have told us who she was as they expressed their grief and shared their memories. So who was she? A loving, gentle soul; a woman whose smile could bring light into a dark moment, whose laughter reaffirmed the beauty and joy of life in spite of problems; a woman who would seek and find reasons for hope and gratitude in the midst of trouble and pain. This woman lifted us up; she inspired us; she challenged us to look forward not backward, to find and live our purpose, to be our best, to give our best. This was a woman without guile, who was never critical, condemning, judgmental. She was not perfect- no one is – but she embodied what we can describe as goodness. Being good does not mean being perfect or without fault. It does mean being authentic, standing for something other than ourselves and she was that, did that. She literally took in the homeless, fed the hungry and held out her hand to those who may have otherwise not been able to stand on their own. That’s who this woman was. She was a gentle but formidable force of nature. Early on she committed herself to serving her community, to helping others, especially young people. From her teenage years as a member of the NAACP Young Adult Council of Corona, through her adult role as a foster mother, and in her career as an Attendance Teacher with the NYC Board of Education (1985 – 2013?) she LIVED her purpose. She was dedicated to helping young people navigate the challenges they faced in this often uncaring world. And she walked through her life living the principles of love espoused in all the religions of the world. She lived them – not talked about them. She didn’t preach. She taught- by example.

In 2012 she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the African American/Caribbean Education Society (AACEANIC). The basis for this honorific were the many contributions/achievements she made on behalf of her community. She was saluted with the title “AACEANIC Woman of Excellence”. From the 2012 AACEANIC Celebration of Achievement and Excellence program we highlight the following examples of her achievements:

Organized the Queens High School Attendance Teacher’s Advisory Council

Established Community Outreach Committee to encourage positive community-school relationships

Coordinated the SE Queens Tough Love Parent Support Group

Coordinated Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) with the NYC Police Department

Served as Vice President of School Leadership Team in Springfield Gardens High School

Awarded Queens High Schools Attendance Teacher of the Year – 2000

Awarded NY State Attendance Teacher of the Year - 2000

Served as Vice President of AACEANIC

Member of NY State Attendance Teachers Association (NYSATA) & International Association of Pupil Personnel Workers (IAPPW).

Born on May 30th, 1948 to Mary Hicks (Brown) and Elmon Smith in Wilmington, North Carolina. She moved to New York with her mother at age 5. From her early teen years she lived with her beloved aunt, Eula Ancrum, and her cousin Dorothy (Eula’s daughter). They had a profound influence on Lillie. Aunt Eula believed in education, gratitude and giving back and Lillie lived her life by these principles.

In 1966 she married Gerald Whitmore and together they had 3 beautiful children: Tonya, Sharnteek (Brent) and Tysheen (Tyrone). She would go on to raise and nurture 6 foster children: Cassandra Williams, Annette Winfield, Atif Adeem, Sandy Winfield, Sandy Figueroa and Jossetta James. Not only did she care for foster children, she and her partner and husband Vincent Jones raised and nurtured her grandson Michael and her nephew Pierre Harrison.

Her career choice echoed her private life; to address the needs of an advocate for children. Her journey toward that end began in 1969 at Fordham University, finishing her undergraduate studies at Medgar Evers College with a degree in Urban Planning in 1976, earning her MS Degree in Guidance and COUNSELING FROM Brooklyn College, then her SDA Professional Degree, Administration and Supervision. Along the way she was awarded the Philip & Judith Hirsch Scholarship for ‘initiating innovative career exploration techniques in the Counseling program”. In the 1970’s she was appointed Parent Advocate on the board of the Children’s Development Center.

These are just some of her accomplishments. Her very existence was a demonstration of the wonderful possibilities life presents us.

She and her loving husband, Vincent Jones, had made a life for themselves in beautiful Callicoon, New York. They were partners for 40+ years. Vincent lovingly cared for her throughout the years as her health was so sorely challenged. Her Callicoon community, including her local church supported her. Her children, grandchildren and foster children all reached out.

She is survived by her husband, Vincent Jones, her 3 children, 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, numerous cousins, siblings, aunts, uncles and a countless number of friends. She touched so many people it is impractical to list them all by name. She is one of a rare breed who truly will never be forgotten. Her sunrise was a gift from God. Her sunset was His calling her home.

And those of us who are still here, who celebrate her life, who benefitted from her very existence, her selflessness, her genuine love for people – we must remember what she always told us; her greeting “Peace and Love” wasn’t just words – they were the heart of what she was about. We should honor her sunset by trying our best to live those words.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am – 11:00 am on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Colonial-Ramsay Funeral Home, 3534 State Route 55, Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749.

A funeral service is to be held from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at the funeral home, immediately following visitation.

Arrangements are under the care of Colonial-Ramsay Funeral Home, for further information call 845-583-5445 or visit colonialfamilyfuneralhomes.com

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