Lillie Mae Fisher

Lillie Mae Fisher, affectionately known to many as “Grandma” or “Mama Lillie”, surrounded by family, peacefully transitioned from her earthly home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019. 

Lillie was born to the union of Henry & Victoria Sanders in Carlton, Arkansas on July 31st, 1926.  She was the eighth of nine children; Claude, Eliza, Ivory, Floyd, Willie, Grover, Margeret & Vivian.

She received her formal education from elementary through college while living in Eudora, Arkansas.  There she gave birth to her one and only child, Patricia Ann, on March 11th, 1949. She relocated to the Midwest in the 1950’s, living in Michigan and Ohio, until she eventually settled in South Bend, Indiana where she continued to take computer courses at Ivy Tech.

On July 9th, 1966, she married her beloved, Carl E. Fisher.  To their union, she gained two step-sons, Carl Jr. & Robert. They remained married until his passing, on June 4th, 1987.

Lillie began her working experience in sales, as an employee for Robertson’s and Milady Shop.  She then started a career in dietary services, working for Transitional Nursing Home and the South Bend Community School Corporation at Harrison Primary Center, where she retired from the field after 10-plus years of service.

She professed her dedication to the Lord very early in life. As an adult, she was a member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church and ultimately a dedicated member of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, where she attended for many years.  She served as a member of the Ushers’ Board, the Senior Choir (where she sung as a soprano), and the Mothers’ Board. She regularly attended the National Gospel Convention. She also was a member of the NAACP.

Lillie loved and thoroughly spoiled her grandchildren. Her antics are now sources of comedic memories.  For the longest time, her youngest grandchild, Whitne, loved other family members’ birthdays. Grandma Lillie would always be sure to buy her a gift as well, especially on the birthdays of her older sister, Jennifer. She would wash clothes for the household and give Napoleon’s laundry to Damon, causing complete confusion, to the point where Napoleon thought he was constantly losing his clothes. She enjoyed eating her ‘sweets’, especially peanut brittle and Snickers, and eating grilled cheese sandwiches, which was her favorite meal. Her fried catfish, salmon patties, greens and sweet potato pies were to die for.  She enjoyed watching her daytime soaps (her stories), Elvis Presley movies, black and white movie classics and the TV show Supernatural. She loved to listen to music; Billy Ocean, The Williams Brothers and Smokey Robinson were her favorites. Knitting, doing puzzles and crosswords kept her young. Her passion for shoes was reflected in her huge collection of heels. She was known to “crack people up” with her feisty remarks. 

Leaving to celebrate and cherish her memory are her beautiful and devoted caretaker & daughter, Patricia (Napoleon) Pittman; three grandchildren, Damon (Mary) Pittman, Jennifer Pittman-Ivory,  and Whitne (Shawn) Thomas; seven great-grandchildren, Micah, Claire & Leila Pittman, Kendall, Kennadi, & Karis Ivory, and Shawntia Thomas; a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members who will miss her beautiful smile and her loving, caring and spirited personality.

Preceding Lillie Mae in death are her parents, Henry & Victoria; brothers, Claude, Willie, Ivory, Floyd, & Grover; sisters, Eliza, Margaret & Vivian; and step-sons, Carl Jr. & Robert.

Many thanks to the West Bend Nursing & Rehabilitation family who loved and cared for her during her stay, the Heartland Hospice staff who assisted with her care at the end, and Pastors Rickardo Taylor and Keith D. Witherspoon for their spiritual guidance and support.

Services for Ms. Lillie Fisher will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 1620 S St Joseph St, South Bend, IN 46613. Friends may call on the family for an hour prior to services at the church. Pastor Rickardo Taylor to officiate. Burial to follow at Highland Cemetery. Palmer Funeral Homes - West Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be left at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. 

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