Biography: Lillian Louise Aldridge Lee passed away peacefully on October 28, 2024. She was born on March 29, 1934, in Greenwood, Mississippi, and grew up in Duck Hill before graduating from Utica High School, where she was valedictorian. In 1956 she married Robert G. (Bob) Lee in Terry, Mississippi, and they made their home there before moving to Jackson in 1972.
 
Lillian pursued her passion for music at Mississippi University for Women, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1956 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, specializing in voice. She received the Master of Music (1971) and Master of Music in Vocal Performance (1976) degrees from Mississippi College. Her lifelong dedication to vocal and choral music shaped her career and inspired countless students.
 
Lillian taught music education and choral music at Terry Consolidated Schools, Jackson Preparatory School, and First Presbyterian Day School in Jackson, Mississippi. Her choirs and ensembles consistently received Superior ratings in choral festivals and competitions and performed for divisional and national choral conventions. Lillian was among the first to receive the prestigious designation of Certified Music Educator and was named Music Educator of the Year in Mississippi in 1995. Other honors include the Ernestine Ferrell Award for Excellence in Choral Music by the Mississippi ACDA in 2001 and the Distinguished Alumna for the Department of Music at Mississippi College in 2005.
 
Music was an important part of Lillian’s faith, and she shared her musical talents with the churches where she was a member. She served as choir director for First Baptist Church in Terry for 15 years before moving to Jackson. In Jackson she was involved in the music programs as a choir member, soloist, and ensemble director at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Central Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, and Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, as well as First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she moved in 2014. Lillian also taught voice and piano lessons and served as an adjudicator and clinician for numerous church and school music festivals and workshops throughout the state and southern region.
 
In 1995, as she neared retirement, Lillian founded the Mississippi Girlchoir, where she served as the Artistic Director for 13 years. Through this organization, she touched the lives of hundreds of young singers, giving them the opportunity to perform across the United States (including Hawaii) as well as in England, Italy, Canada, and Australia. One of the highlights of her career was conducting a concert at the Sydney Opera House.
 
Family was of utmost importance to Lillian. She cherished her relationships with her daughters and prioritized attending her grandchildren's events—whether baseball games, concerts, or performances. Lillian loved traveling; she and Bob took their family on numerous trips, including cruises to Alaska and Hawaii, Disneyworld, and Thailand. A loyal supporter of Mississippi State, she enjoyed cheering for her Bulldogs and ringing her cowbell. She loved cooking and entertaining; hospitality was one of her spiritual gifts.  Lillian was also an accomplished quilter.
 
Lillian had a strong relationship with God and was an ardent prayer warrior. Her faith had a tremendous influence on her family. At the time of her death, she was an active member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, where her granddaughter serves as a pastor. She was involved in the church's Primetimers group, Newton-Good News Sunday School Class, and the Food Pantry Ministry, finding joy in serving her community and fellow parishioners.
 
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Virginia Aldridge, and her beloved husband of 50 years, Robert Gourlay Lee. She is survived by her sisters, Yancey Hand (JoGene) of Canton, MS, and Anne Branch of Mooresville, NC; her daughters, Virginia Lee McMurray (Shawn) and Dr. Dicey Gay Lee (Michael Poole), both of Little Rock, AR; her grandchildren, Margaret McMurray of Atlanta, GA; Kathleen McMurray and Michael McMurray (Kathleen Mowery) and her great-grandson, Wendell all of Little Rock; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
 
A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Drive in Little Rock, with a reception following in Gathering Hall.  This service will be livestreamed at phumc.com/live and on the Pulaski Heights UMC YouTube channel. There will be a graveside service at the cemetery in Terry, Mississippi, on Friday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m. A reception will be held after the service at the Family Life Center of the First Baptist Church of Terry.
 
In memory of Lillian's life and legacy, memorial contributions may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church (operating budget), Ozark Mission Project, or the Music Department at Mississippi College.
 
Her life was a testament to her love of music and family, and to her deep faith. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com