Lillie B Hayden

Lillie B. Hayden (Williams) was born to the union of Johnnie Ramsey Williams and Lizzie Bee Johnson Williams on August 13, 1938 in Brookeland, Texas.

She graduated from G. W. Carver High School in 1956, continuing on to graduate from trade school and became employed with the U. S. Department of Labor in the Veterans Administration Division. Lillie completed her career in government work, retiring from the Workers Compensation Division for the U.S. Department of Labor, January 2000, after over 30 years of service.

Lillie was an elegant woman who was beautiful inside and out. You would notice her by her stylish attire – literally from her hat to her shoes and the sparkling jewelry in between. Yet you would know her best because of her faith and kindness that would draw folks to her and often resulted in establishing lifelong relationships.

Lillie had a personal relationship with the Lord and inspired others who witnessed her endurance while battling cancer. Her faith began as a child. She was baptized in Baytown, Texas at Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church and she maintained an active church membership in each state she lived in, from Texas, to California and finally Washington State. However, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship (NBCF) in Renton, Washington was Lillie’s church home, and its members, part of her extended family. She supported the youth and education ministries, was active in NBCF’s Mass, Women’s and Psalmist choirs as well as the Feeding/Hospitality ministry and Connections small group ministry.

As a woman of many skills and talents, Lillie’s knowledge spanned across fashion, culinary arts, and marketing. One of Lillie's early jobs introduced her to sewing and clothing design while working for the French Laundry in San Francisco. This was where she acquired a taste for style and fashion during her nearly ten years of employment there. Later, she worked part-time as a sales associate for Park Lane Jewelry, where she shared her passion for jewelry with others. Her knowledge and charisma resulted in her earning coveted bonuses that included trips and cruises, allowing her to develop her love for travel locally and abroad.

After many decades apart, Lillie reconnected with and wed her high school sweetheart, Alvin Hayden on July 19, 1982, and moved to Seattle, WA. They were married for 39 years, until his death on November 16, 2021. Lillie embraced and loved her siblings, relatives, and those she called family. She especially cherished and maintained strong relationships with her two sons Reginald Rugley who preceded her in death on December 14, 2019 and Michael Todd Rugley. From her union with Alvin Hayden, she gained a daughter, Karen Hayden with whom she shared a special bond. What brought her great happiness was spending time with her grandchildren and knowing they would continue her legacy.

Lillie loved to share her joy for cooking and is celebrated for her baking skills. You may remember her signature four layered coconut cake, rum cake and German chocolate cake, to name a few. Perhaps you experienced one of her meals when she made international dishes inviting you to taste the flavors of the communities she lived in and places she traveled to. Like her appearance, her presentation was impeccable when plating delicious food and preparing a table. You could not expect anything less than a table draped with a decorative tablecloth, table runner, cloth napkins and shiny napkin rings. Nothing ordinary would do as she had to include china place settings, Waterford crystal goblets and two-toned utensils because every day is important, not just holidays and celebrations. She put God first and supported her community. She sought out new experiences and lived her life to the fullest. Please allow her life to be an example for you.

Lillie B. Hayden departed this earth gaining her heavenly wings on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Mission Health Care in Renton, WA with her son Michael by her side.

Lillie is preceded in death by parents Johnnie Ramsey Williams and Lizzie Bee Johnson Williams, her husband Alvin Hayden, four brothers, her sisters Sena B., Imergene and Gennette and her son Reginald Rugley with whom she will now be able to celebrate yet another type of family reunion.

She leaves behind her twin brothers Ronald Robinson (Janice) and Raymond Robinson (Lisa) and sisters Annie Pearl Choice and Juanita Frances Parker. She also leaves to cherish her memory, her son Michael Todd Rugley (Maritza), step-daughter Karen Hayden, grandsons Terrell Antione Holmes and Michael Durrell Rugley, granddaughters Cynthia Carter (Etienne Carter) and Sheena Reed-Hill (Michael Hill). There are 10 great-grandchildren from her lineage. Lillie also shared a special bond with Andrew Gray her cousin and a host relatives, friends and New Beginnings Christian Fellowship “church family” who will miss her.

Acknowledgements

Perhaps you sent a card or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a funeral spray: if so, we saw it there. Perhaps you were not there at all; just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you whatever the part.

Peace and Love to you all,

The Family of Lillie Hayden