Mrs. Lonnie Mae Kilgore Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

In Loving Memory Of Lonnie M. Kilgore, a praying woman of God, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy, and her family will forever cherish her memory. On December 16, 1924, Lonnie was born to the union of Jake and Pearl Burns. The couple was blessed with ten children; Lonnie was the eighth of ten siblings. She received her early education in Norphlet, Arkansas at Smith Elementary and High School. Lonnie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized and worked in the church in Norphlet, New Providence Baptist Church. After high school, Lonnie went to Detroit, Michigan to work in the cafeteria at Chrysler Motor Company with her sister, Albertine. Lonnie decided after some time working there, that she wanted to go to college. She attended Arkansas AM&N, now known as the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. There she met the love of her life for 51 years, Herman Lee Kilgore, the man with a plan and access to the GI Bill, from time spent in the Navy. During their college years, they married, became teachers, and worked in many small towns in Arkansas before settling in West Helena, Arkansas. For 18 years, they taught elementary and middle school classes there. While living in West Helena, they traveled to Bloomington, Indiana in the summer to attend Indiana University, where they each pursued a Master's Degree in Education. In 1969, friends encouraged Lonnie and her husband to move to Jackson, Michigan. Lonnie loved teaching in Jackson. She worked at McCullough Elementary, Cascades Elementary, and Allen Elementary Schools. She was featured in the newspaper, Citizens Patriot, as one of the most dynamic, ethical, effective, and professional teachers in the district. She loved children and loved helping them learn. She had a way of working positively with the most difficult students. In 1970, Lonnie joined Second Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson. She had a great love for the church and was very dedicated. She made history at the church by becoming one of the first female trustees under the pastorship of Reverend Amos Polk Williams. She worked on numerous committees, was a member of many auxiliaries, and was a member of the church choir. Lonnie was also active in numerous community organizations. She was a member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club (NANBPWC), the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Alumni Association, and many other organizations. Lonnie was a soft-spoken but fierce woman of God and a perfectionist; everything she did was done with love and great care. As a mother, Lonnie had such a loving and caring spirit. She was known as a mother to many children other than her own. She was known for her great generosity as a mother, grandmother, and friend. She always invited extra guests to come over for family dinners. She enjoyed cooking large holiday dinners and was known for her delicious turkey and dressing (not stuffing) that could not be duplicated, and her sweet potato pie. Dancing with her husband to the song, Summertime (which was one of their favorites from their early years), was especially enjoyable to her.

Mrs. Lonnie Mae Kilgore

December 16, 1924 - May 31, 2022