Lillian Connally Renfroe

Our beautiful mother, Lillian C. Renfroe, passed away at home on February 15th and woke up in the presence of God, her husband of 70 years, Jake, and her beautiful daughter Dee who had passed before her.

Lil was born on July 19th, 1933, and spent her childhood in Red Level, Alabama, where she was a cheerleader in high school. Along with her four siblings, they spent many summer days in the icy water of the town swimming pool, rode their bikes all over Red Level, and searched for arrowheads in their aunt’s flower garden. Maybe it was that childhood activity that gave mom her love of flowers and joy of working in her own beautiful gardens in her backyard on Bayou Texar.

Lil met her future husband Jake on a blind date when he was on Army leave from Fort Rucker, and the two fell in love. Soon after, they were married and moved to Tuscaloosa to attend the University of Alabama, and while in school there, daughter Dee was born. After graduating, they moved their new family to Pensacola where Jake began his career at Chemstrand. During that time, they had two more children; Jake III, and Ben. Mom stayed at home to raise the three children with the love and kindness that has been learned and passed down through the following generations.

When the kids were grown and out of the house, our mom spent many hours on the tennis courts at the Pensacola Country Club and became one of the top club-level players there. Later, she and Jake were charter members of the Pensacola Racquet Club and made many lifelong friendships playing a sport they both loved. They also enjoyed snow skiing and were very involved in the early days of the Pensacola Ski Club and took many club trips around the U.S. and Europe together. Lil was a member of several Mardi Gras groups and was active in the Fiesta of Five Flags. She was a loyal member of the Lazy Daisy Garden Club, and she loved to play bridge with friends.

Lil strongly supported her husband in everything he did, especially at Renfroe Pecan Company. When the company purchased a small pecan processing plant in Crestview in the mid-70’s, Lil drove there every day during the season to supervise the staff and to ensure the product they sent out was up to her standards. After the plant was moved to Pensacola and throughout her years at the family business, Lil continued to be the quality control person making sure every single package held nothing but the best product. All of the employees loved her dearly.

Lil is survived by sons Jake, III (Jane) and Ben (Tammy). Affectionately called Nana by the little ones, she had eight grandchildren, William Renfroe, Mary Kate Northup (Graham), Margeaux Gibson (Ben), Sara Jane Renfroe, Maggie Renfroe, Jordan Fox, Skylar Fox, and Mackenzie Fox. She adored her ten great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Lillian Renfroe; Carter, Harper, and Penelope Northup, Teddy, Numa, Ruby, and Soloman Gibson; and Shiloh Fox-Horton.

The family will be forever grateful to mom’s loving caregivers; Debra Gould, Cyndi Watts, Jeanette Myers, Mercedes Rojas, Rosie Andrews, and Lillie Grandison. She loved you all.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Lil’s name or to the charity of your choice, or simply plant something beautiful.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd, Pensacola, 32503, on Saturday, February 21st at 11:00 a.m.

For those unable to attend, a livestream of her celebration of life can be viewed here: https://youtube.com/live/FiqFd-g-sOQ