Lillie Talford Means ascended to her heavenly home on Saturday, February 5th in Youngsville, North Carolina. She was born on October 12th, 1928 to Will and Esther Talford. She was one of eight of the Talford family children.

Lillie was a product of the Charlotte Public School system and graduated from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte.

Lillie worked for the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System for over 30 years. She was an exceptional teacher who instructed academically gifted children. Because of her expertise, Lillie was asked to become a "floating" teacher who instructed children at multiple schools across Charlotte. She was a firm instructor who garnered respect from students, parents and faculty both inside and outside of the classroom.

Upon marrying the late Charles Alexander Means, Lillie became a member of Walls Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Charlotte. She was an extremely active participant and often spearhead church activities including anniversaries, fundraisers and historical remembrances.

Charles and Lillie had one daughter, the late Phyllis Means Wright, who passed away from an illness in 2017. Lillie and her daughter were very close.

Lillie and her husband, often accompanied by close family members and friends, enjoyed extensive travel after retirement. She also began piano lessons later in life and enjoyed playing and singing. Lillie was very politically astute and engaged in current events, especially after President Obama was elected. She delighted in chatting with her great-grandson Bryan nightly and they often read from the Bible together before bed. She adored him and talked about him often to family and friends. Lillie enjoyed items of beauty and delighted in home decor, florals and fashion. She was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Her granddaughter, Karen Clark of Wake Forest; her great-grandson Bryan Lewis; her sister Betty T. Fisher of Raleigh and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.