Lillia Mae (Durant) Johnson was born on October 24, 1931 to the late Peter and Alberta (Lewis) Irby in Memhis, TN. She accepted Christ at a young age at Saint John A.M.E. Church in Memphis. She later joined Morning Star M.B. Church in Memphis. On March 25, 2020 she was called home to be with the Lord.

She leaves to cherish her memory three sons; Ralph Walls (Susie), Hosea Durant, Jr. (Jackie), Clarence Strong III (Cordiss), one daughter, Helen Williams, a loving sister, Mattie L. Oliver (Norris), sixteen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins, family and friends, and a special friend, Annie M. Boyce. She was preceded in death by three sons; Theodore Walls, Frederick Strong, Cecil Strong, and one daughter, Floris Marie Strong.