Rena Michelle Stroud Lillard, affectionately called Mickey, was the second child born to Ronald and Thelma Stroud in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Calumet High School in June 1967. In her youth, Mickey played the violin for four years. In her prime, she considered herself to have been a great dancer as a result of being taught the Cha-Cha, the Bop and the Two-Step by her father. One of the more interesting jobs that she held in her lifetime was as a Chicago police officer in the 1980’s.
Mickey liked watching silly movies and TV shows like Tacoma FD. She loved just about any Motown music, the O’Jays and the Isley Brothers. She loved anchovies on pizza. She was always reading the news and the comics. She liked playing cards. She especially liked hanging out and socializing with friends and family. And, she was very proud when Barack Obama was elected president.
Mickey married DeWitt Lillard in August 1969, who unfortunately passed away in November 1975. To this union two sons were born, DeWitt Ronald and Derrick Kennedy. From January 2003 until her move in 2017 from Chicago to Atlanta, Georgia, she was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church lead by Reverend Rogers Jackson. She faithfully participated in Pastor’s weekly Bible study, in addition to the Sunday School Class Number 86 and the October Circle birthday club.
Mickey received her wings on Saturday, July 11, 2020 in Atlanta. She is survived by sons DeWitt (Fran Moore) and Derrick (Charlisse) of Atlanta, grandchildren Linda Lillard, Candice Lillard, Christian Lillard, and Kennedy Lillard, great grandchildren Kamille Harris and Khyree Lillard, Chicago siblings Ronald (Janice), Veda and Valarie, Rochester, New York sibling Vincent (Evelyn), Madison, Wisconsin sibling Darrell (Annie), plus aunt and lifelong sounding board, Ms. Myrna Brady of Richton Park, Illinois. She has left behind friends and relatives – aunt, uncles, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins – too numerous to name.
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