There are no words when a friend dies.

 

             Lillie on the left in both pictures at the National Council of
             Higher Education in Prison Conference in Indianapolis, Nov. 2018.

 

But Lillie A. Estes was much more than my friend, she was Richmond, Virginia’s friend; she was a friend to people who have been trampled by injustice; and she was a friend to hundreds of people she mentored through her many years as a commuity justice strategist. 

                       Lillie. Image credit: Scott Elmquist, Style Weekly

I have written about Lillie’s work in these pages here. And about her work on the community justice film series, here.

Richmond is paying tribute to her life. Read a piiece by Catherine Komp, “Community Mourns Passing of Civic Leader and Strategist Lillie A. Estes,” here, and by Richmond’s Style Weekly: “Community Strategist and Mentor, Lillie A. Estes, has Died.” The Charles Hamilton Houston Institute of Race & Justice (CHHIR&J) which introduced Lillie and her work to Massachusetts has a moving video that they created with Lillie which is posted here.

David Harris, Managing Director of the CHHR&J said in an article by the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Lillie was “the exemplar of an organizer. She always wanted to
make sure everyone’s voice was part of the decision-making.”

Below Lillie is teaching in Boston this past November at the Mothers for Justice and Equality gathering. 

There are no sufficient words when we lose a friend. But there are memories and comforts. From my many texts and emails, here is a picture Lillie sent of herself, at the Virginia Poverty Law Center gala this past December, 2018. She is standing in front of a photograph of herself which she never mentioned. Instead, she wanted to show me that she was wearing a scarf I gave her. “Cute picture I guess,” is all she said. That was Lillie. Humble, in spite of the accomplishments of a hero. David Harris of the CHHIR&J called her “the real deal.”

Lillie was, in my opinion, one of the most brilliant social justice strategists I have ever known. I talked to her several times a week and she taught me so much and she made me laugh. She was so honest! And loving. Devoted to her community of Richmond. And amazingingly able to make connections in a heartbeat. She died too young, a mere 59 years old, but she lived a life that was filled with meaning and import. I mourn the loss of someone whom I love and whose work will be sorely missed.