The Earthly Journey of Lillie Rene Calhoun Joseph

Lillie Rene Calhoun entered this world on February 12, 1947 in a small community called Greenough in Mitchell County, Georgia. Her parents, Cleophus Calhoun, Sr., "Little Buddy" and Carrie Bell Dent Calhoun had borne other children, but she was a welcome addition to their family. She was the paternal granddaughter of Romie and Henrietta Calhoun and the maternal granddaughter of  Samuel and Alice Dent.

Lillie Rene loved the Lord. She grew up in a home where her parents believed in Christ and attended church early and often. She accepted Christ and was baptized at ten years old at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. R.L. Jones.  She sang in the choir, and took part in many church activities. Her daddy, "Little Buddy" or "CC" was an active Deacon and his children were there with him to ring the bell on Sunday mornings. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when she was a young girl of twelve; her mother, Carrie Bell fell ill, and later died in May of 1959.  She grieved, as any child would, but she was loved and attended to by her older brothers and their wives; Jr., (Ola Mae), MG (Willie Mae), Willie C. (Eddie Mae), James and Richard; her older sister, Pearlie Bell and her younger sisters, Louvenia and Rosie. Calamity befell the family once again when Rosie died in childhood, leaving her with seven devoted siblings.

Lillie Rene's educational journey began in earnest as a primary student in Sale City, Georgia; excited and eager to learn. She later graduated from Camilla Consolidated High School in 1965; just a few years short of school desegregation. She often spoke of missing school to work on the family farm (throughout her childhood), studying from "used books with other students' names", but she was tenacious and determined. Determined to not only keep up and graduate, but to go on to the college down by the banks of the Flint River.  She was able to enter Albany State College (now Albany State University) as a Freshman with hundreds of other students. While there, she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Sigma Chapter in April of 1967.  She met each challenge head on, maintaining stellar grades and participating in college life; graduating with a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education in 1968. As life would have it, she later sent her son, Richard James there as part of her enduring legacy.  She went on to earn a Master's degree from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta University) in 1974.  It should be mentioned that Rene (for that's what we all called her); earned 11 "A's" and one "B" while matriculating there; no small feat for a little brown girl from down the dirt road in the Greenough Community. She began her Specialist degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Georgia, later earning it from a Florida university. Having moved to Florida, she later committed to further study at Nova University in its doctoral program; life, as it often does, interrupted the completion of her doctorate degree. She was a lifelong learner nevertheless, earning certifications in contracting and her many other areas of interest.

Lillie Rene's career as an educator began as an elementary teacher in Cotton, Ga. She later taught primary and elementary students in Camilla, Georgia under the principalship of Mr. Hugh Inman. Lillie Rene was a hard-working, dedicated teacher for many years in Georgia.  Her family was very important to her and she moved to Belle Glade, Florida in the fall of 1974 to live with her older sister Pearlie Belle and help care for her niece during a health crisis. While there, she taught at West Area School of Choice, Pahokee, Fl; later becoming an Assistant Principal there. She retired as a career Educator but maintained a working life as a widely known business woman in the Belle Glade/South Bay area. She owned and operated several rental properties and other businesses in Florida. She maintained several business and social affiliations to include the Mu Rho Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Belle Glade, Florida.

Lillie Rene's move to Florida brought about many changes and adventures as life sometimes does.  Her career flourished as she taught for many years. She met and married Simon Mosely, a local contractor and business owner (deceased). To their union, a son, Richard James Mosely was born. Tragically, Lillie Rene's beloved son passed on September 23, 2005.

Lillie Rene's life story, though marred at times by tragedy, was not one without hope, love, and continued faith in God. She married Ezra Joseph in 2014 in a lovely ceremony at her church, Greater St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Belle Glade, Florida. He loved her, traveled with her, and in the last few years, cared for her, until her untimely passing a few short days ago. She leaves to mourn a grief-stricken, but bound by faith family which includes: a devoted husband, Ezra Joseph of South Bay, Fl, a loving granddaughter, Richelsie Mosely; an adored stepson, Simon Peter Mosely and her Joseph step-children;  loving brothers, MG (Willie Mae) Calhoun, Willie C. (Eddie Mae) Calhoun, and James (Henrietta) Calhoun of Camilla, Ga; sisters, Pearlie Bell (Raymond, deceased) Mobley of Belle Glade, Fl, and Louvenia (Johnny, deceased) Casion of Camilla, Ga; one of her sisters in-law, (who she thought of as sisters), Ola Mae (Cleophus, Jr, deceased) Calhoun of Camilla, Ga; a legacy continued by adoring nieces and nephews; a devoted cousin, friend and maid of honor, Mildred Rogers Wimberly, a host of other relatives and friends; a special, life-long friend, Jan Thomas of Camilla, Ga, who also served as her maid of honor and  fellow educator; her sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.;  and a special thanks to Noreen Williams her supporting care giver.

As She Looked Back

Lillie Rene's was a thoughtful heart and heaven- bound soul; she would reminisce and look back, often remarking upon the losses that changed her life forever; her nurturing, and forever-missed mother, Carrie Bell Dent Calhoun, her kind, adoring father, Cleophus Calhoun, Sr who she described as a watchful supporter and counselor; her devoted, hard-working brothers, Cleophus Calhoun, Jr,(who built her home in Greenough), and Richard Calhoun (her closest brother in age and humor); sister, Rosie and her loving, adored son, Richard James Mosely.

As She Waits in Eternity

Lillie Rene will be missed. She was a soft-spoken, force of nature. She was a loving wife, mother, a devoted and supportive grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many.  Above all, she was a Child of God; she loved and praised God and recognized Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

If she could she would have stayed, for we know she loved us all. Lillie Rene was ever-obedient and heeded the Master's call.   She departed to be with the Lord on Thursday evening, April 18, 2024 at her residence in South Bay, Fl.