Lillie Mae Hines

Lillie Mae Hines entered into eternal rest at the age of 97 years old in Columbus, OH on Sunday, March 30, 2026. Lillie Mae was the sixth child out of fourteen born to Aurenius (d. 1983) and Sophronia (d. 1963) (Chick) Tucker. She was born August 13, 1928 in Carlisle, South Carolina.

Growing up in rural Union County, she and her siblings helped on the farm where her parents were sharecroppers. She attended school up to the eighth grade. At the tender age of 17 years old, she moved to Columbus, OH, joining her older sisters Jannie and Ruth Bell and the many other African Americans who migrated north seeking better opportunities. Not long after moving to Columbus, she gave birth to her oldest daughter, Barbara. Eventually, she met and married her husband, Willie Fred Hines, in 1950. They would go on to have three children together, Anthony “Poojay,” Renee, and Valerie. After the unexpected passing of her husband, Lillie Mae worked tirelessly to support her family. She worked nights at Kahiki Restaurant, a famous Polynesian restaurant in Columbus, where one of her specialties was egg rolls. She would often bring home the appetizers she made there, which were always a special treat for her children when they found them in the morning in the fridge. She retired after many years of service at the Columbus Development Center.

Her kindness was extended to all in need, and her door was always open. Her home was welcoming to all, a warm place of refuge and comfort for family and friends alike. It was a gathering place for family, Aunties, and uncles, extended and close cousins, grandchildren, and great-grans. Neighbors, friends, and single mothers knew their children would be cared for and loved under her watch. Upon arriving there, after a warm greeting, “Hi Grandma,” children and adults alike would head straight to the kitchen to see what she had prepared. A warm, home-cooked meal was always on the stove. She was known for being an excellent cook, with many specialties. Her favorite dishes were fried fish and greens; a pot of rice was a staple. Poojay’s sweet potato pie carries forward her recipe. The night before every holiday, a full entree of soulful fixins would be ready for the taking. Her children, Poojay and Renee, would often fill up before the holiday. She loved to be surrounded by her family and to feed any and all who delighted in the food she prepared. In her life, she enjoyed simple hobbies. A day spent fishing or in her vegetable garden brought her much joy.

Lillie Mae was a devoted and loving sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be sorely missed. 

She is survived by a loving and devoted family; Children: Barbara (Tom) Claytor, Valerie (Gerald) Porter, and Anthony (Terri) Hines; her Grandchildren: Thomas (Jolie) Claytor, May Claytor (Anthony White) all of Columbus, OH, Adam (Cassi) Claytor, of Cleveland, OH, Herchel (“Man”)Taylor, Senequa (Quan) Allan, Cythnia (“Tony”) Hines, Anthony (“Antman”) Hines, Tonya Hines, Unitra Martin and Iesha (Andre) Graham of Phoenix, Arizona and 17 Great-Grandchildren as well as her Sister: Rose Griffin, Blacklick, OH and a host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and friends.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Andrew Tucker (d. 2006), Jannie (Russell) Jeter (d. 2011), LeRoy Tucker (d. 2013), Odell (Minnie)Tucker (d. 1989), Ruth Bell (Doyle) Freeman (d. 1986), Virgil (Ruby) Tucker (d. 2011), Beatrice (Robert) Nooks (d. 2010), Cicero Tucker (d. 1986), George Tucker (d. 1961), Arthur Tucker (d. 2013), Roosevelt Tucker (d. 1998), Leretha (Charles) Tucker (d. 2025) and her daughter: Renee Hines (d. 2022) and husband: Willie Fred Hines (d. 1969).