Lillie Mae Marshall, accomplished cook, beautician and seamstress, dies at 101

Lillie Marshall was known for the love she showed everyone. Anyone who came to know her felt as though they were her “favorite” by the way she treated them.

“If she knew you, she never missed calling you to sing and wish you a happy birthday,” Carole Sanders, Marshall’s daughter, said.

Family says those who were closest to her would often times be blessed with her homemade pound cake or rolls. Marshall was a skilled cook.

“She adopted everyone,” Sanders said. “She adopted grandchildren of friends and church members and would take out a life insurance policy not only on her own grandchildren, but on theirs also which was blessing for their families,” she added.

To the Kansas City community, Marshall’s family says she was a friend, mentor and spiritual supporter.

“She was very thoughtful. She prayed to those that were sick and cared about their welfare. She loved them all,” Ethel Smith, an adopted daughter, said.

Marshall died November 1. She was 101.

Born on January 1, 1920, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, she was the only child to Charles and Mary Stevenson. A graduate of Sumner High School, Marshall would continue her education by receiving a cosmetology license from Madame C.J. Walker Cosmetology and enhancing her cooking skills with culinary classes.

“She had a love for learning and encouraged us to do the same,” Sanders said. “Attaining a level of sufficiency was not enough. Continuing to improve her skills and craft that she could use to bless others allowed her to show others how to live a meaningful and valuable life.”

Family says before beginning her career as a cosmetologist instructor, she moved to California for a short time. There she showed off her culinary skills by cooking for actors such as Desi Arnez and Lucille Ball, as well as Pearl Bailey and Phyllis Dillard.

“She was infamous for making lemon meringue pies, pound cakes, rolls and trying new recipes,” Sanders said.

Upon returning to Kansas City, she worked as a maid for the Goldblatt family while attending school to become a cosmetologist.

“Being a cosmetologist gave her the opportunity to instill in women the importance up taking care of oneself and give tips on how to do that,” Sanders said.

Marshall also handled the books and assisted with teaching at the Saunders Cosmetology School.

Not only did she know her way around the kitchen and how to successfully grow hair, but she was also an accomplished seamstress who seldom used a pattern.

“She was especially creative with her sewing and although she had a sewing machine, she preferred hand stitching,” Sanders said. “She also would make her own patterns and make her own creations so much so that it was hard to tell if it was bought off the rack at a department store.”

Marshall also had a green thumb. Her daughters say their mother enjoyed nursing plants back to life and mixing different plant seeds. She also loved to play Chinese Checkers and taking time to relax.

“On cold winter nights she would make a fire in the fireplace and we would play Chinese checkers and drink hot cocoa. Whenever the grandkids came over, she would take them in the kitchen and they would make chocolate chip cookies together,” Sanders said.

Marshall was a woman of faith who was often times was heard saying “Love God and serve God.” Family says from a child into adulthood, she served in each church she attended including with their kitchens and boards.

“She would daily call friends and family to pray with them and read the daily devotional,” Sanders said.

She is survived by three daughters: Doris Carole Sanders, Ethelena Smith, and Marceline Burford; grandchildren Theressa McConnell, Mack McConnell, III, Jacqueline Lindmark, Roderick McConnell, Tyran Scott McConnell, Geran McConnell, Michael Smith, Anthony Smith, Marshall Turner II, Christopher Turner, Delbert Turner, Judith Jones, Shaun Jones, Derrius Washington; a foster daughter, Nicole Stansbury, a very special friend, Mr. Joe Jennings, and host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, her St. Peter CME church family; and a host of friends and relatives.

Jessie Braswell, former KCMO employee, died on November 14. She was 77.

Jessie Braswell was born on July 26, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, to John Barnes and Brooksie Canday Barnes.

She graduated from Central High School in 1962. After high school, she attended Kansas City Business College where she received a certificate in clerical work.

Braswell began working for the City of Kansas City as a payroll clerk. She retired in 2003 after 30 years of service.

She was a Member of Friendship Baptist Church, and enjoyed walking and kickboxing.

Braswell is survived by her daughter, Sheila Braswell, of Kansas City, Missouri; two sisters, Angeline Berry and Christella Shepherd; two brothers, Donald Barnes and Larry Barnes, all of Kansas City, Missouri; nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Horace Lindesay, Kansas City businessman, died on November 4. He was 84.

Horace “Jun” Lindesay was born on June 16, 1937, in Robeline, Louisiana, to Horace Lindesay, Sr. and Annie Lindesay.

His family moved to Kansas City in 1946.

Lindesay attended Kealing Elementary School and Northeast Junior High, and graduated from Sumner High School in 1957. After high school, he attended Donnelly College, Baylor University, Penn Valley College and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He was a member of the family church, Christ Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) KCK.

As a teenager, family says, Horace spent weekends and summers working in his father’s trash pickup and tree trimming business. He was employed 10 years with the Kansas City Power & Light Company which was primarily spent in the tree trimming department. Encouraged by his brother Vernon, Lindesay decided to start his own business in chemical lawn and tree spraying. He later expanded to full lawn and tree service and achieved professional status as an arborist.

He enjoyed talking to people and was often disarming with his clever sense of humor. He had an easy-going personality and a keen memory of people, events and who was related to whom.

He is survived by his wife, Constance Lindesay; son, Kyle Edward; daughter, Terri; grandson, James Harrington; brother-in-law, Edward Freeman, Jr.; nieces and nephews and many more relatives, friends and loyal customers.