Lillie Phillips Demus McBride

Lillie Phillips Demus McBride was born December 31, 1929, to Sam Phillips and Mary Liza Davis Phillips in Mooringsport, Louisiana. She was the youngest of fourteen children. Her father owned a 40-acre farm producing cotton and making railroad crossties. Her mother tragically died of pneumonia when she was only three months old; therefore, her older siblings raised her. Lillie married John W. Demus in 1945 and had five children in Louisiana before relocating to San Francisco in 1959. She retired from the San Francisco Unified School District and lived in the Bayview Hunters Point community. She was also one of the original resident board members of the Shoreview community.

Lillie was a caring and loving grandmother who raised several grandchildren. She was also a community granny to her Shoreview family. Lillie had a witty sense of humor, was understanding and non-judgmental, and quietly gave sage advice, always encouraging her grandchildren “to do the right thing,” which is why they lovingly called her “Florida Evans.” Although kind and compassionate, Lillie did not tolerate foolishness yet did not raise her voice in anger; the look in her eyes when she meant business was enough!

She was one with nature, thus teaching her grandchildren how to create herbal teas and medicines to cure ailments. Lillie was also very resourceful and, through patience and sheer determination, made a thriving community garden out of the rocky mountain behind her home. She shared this garden with family and community members, along with the knowledge of how to cultivate collard greens, cabbage, potatoes, corn, and various vegetable staples. She also taught her grandchildren how to fish, sew, and cook, thus passing on traditional family recipes.

Lillie Phillips Demus McBride departed this life on December 18, 2023, at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her parents, her 13 siblings (most recently her sister, Dr. Melvina Ruffin, in February of 2023), her Husband, Elbert (Mac) McBride, Daughters Joyce Hawkins, Brenda Demus, and Grandson John Demus, IV.

She leaves to mourn her memory three children, Johnnie Baker, John Demus, and Wanda Demus, Son-in Law, Eric Thergesen, and Daughter-in-Law Rosie Demus; 13 Grandchildren, Andrinna Malone,  Lynetta Demus, Lashanda Demus, Lois Demus, Michael (La’Trice) Hutchings, Tierre (Anna) Hodges, Duana (Joshua) Leslie, Erica (Spencer) Brooks, Dwight Baker, Niema Hawkins,  Demauriae Demus, Dwaymon Demus, and Lillie Demus; 20 Great-Grandchildren, Kenny Hayes, Jr, Christopher Givens, Crystal Lowe, Joseph Givens, Kiya Bailey, Kamry Jones, De’John Maybon, Kyrus Gaines, Marie Demus, Maniyah Pulliam, Jamir Pulliam, Dominique Williams, Raymond Williams, Sophia Leslie, Shante’Asia Hutchings, Michael Hutchings, Jr.  Tierre Hodges, Jr, August Demus, Dominic Demus, and Spencer Brooks, Jr.; 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren, Jiaya Hayes, Jaecieon Lowe, Suria Hutchings and a host of close family members whom she dearly loved.

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