She was born on January 20, 1926 in Memphis, Texas to Arthur Gossett and Tarlie Hale Gossett. Her parents were migrant workers and she and her siblings traveled and worked from south Texas to the panhandle of Texas until she became school age. She graduated form Idalou High School in 1943.
Lillie married Marvin Burress in August 1945 and they had five daughters. Although she worked in several areas which included waitress, dry cleaning, and driver for a photography company, her most enjoyable and fulfilling work was with Litton Industries where she made computer boards for the Navy ships and NASA. She retired from there when the company moved from Lubbock to California. She was active in Eastern Stars and with Marvin in the VFW. Once her oldest four girls were of school age, she worked outside the home, but continued to support and encourage them in their activities. She and Marvin were baptized when the girls were young and was raised in the Baptist church.
She was predeceased by husband, Marvin Burress and daughters, Marietta and Patricia Burress
and Gale Burress Head.
Lillie is survived by daughters Cynthia Halstead of Fort Worth and Karla Säfström of Stolkhom, Sweden; grandsons, David Halstead of Fort Worth and Matthew Auresto of San Antonio and 4 great grandchildren, Cameron, Danyl, Brandon, and Alexandria Halstead.
