African American Baha'i

Tribute From the American Bahai Sept-Oct 2016
Lillie S. Abercrombie was the matriarch of a five-generation family of Bahá'ís — teaching the Faith in word and deed, opening her home lovingly to interracial gatherings even when such action was illegal and dangerous, and serving for more than 50 years as a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Greenville.

Lillie ascended to the spiritual realm at age 94 on March 26, 2016, 100 years to the day after 'Abdu'l-Bahá revealed the first of the Tablets of the Divine Plan.

"Words are inadequate to describe the significance of her life and of her loss, both to your family and to the Bahá'í community of South Carolina," the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States wrote in a letter of condolence to her children, adding: "Lillie's more than half-century of active service to the Cause of God will illumine the annals of the history of the Faith in this country, and through your own efforts her spirit will, indeed, continue to make its mark. With this prayer, 'Abdu'l-Bahá seems to be referring to your mother's beautiful countenance: 'Like unto a singing nightingale she chanted Thy sacred verses, and like unto a mirror she sought to reflect Thy light.'"

A tribute from her family adds, "She touched many souls with her nurturing, radiant, and loving spirit. She was world renowned for her hospitality and delicious cuisine, offering accommodation and spiritual and physical sustenance for multitudes of people who traveled throughout the South teaching the Faith at a time when segregation was the law, therefore illegal for races to gather socially."

Born in 1921 in Ware Shoals, South Carolina, she married Charles Abercrombie after graduating from high school in Greenville. They had made a home and brought up a family for more than 20 years by the time they embraced the Bahá'í Faith in the early 1960s.

Lillie's service to the Faith over the years included membership on the Southeastern Bahá'í School Program Committee and the District Teaching Committee of Northern South Carolina — as well as on the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Greenville for five decades, even into her early 90s.

But there were other dimensions as well: the Abercrombies "opened their home at 8 Rebecca Street in Greenville to people of every race, religion and social status," the family noted. "Lillie and Charles raised a five-generation family of 76 to serve the Cause of God."

In her testament she stated, "I offer praise and gratitude to God for having blessed me with the privilege of having been able to express my love for Him through my love, devotion and service to my family, friends, believers in Bahá'u'lláh, and to the human race at large regardless of race, religion, social status or human condition. I hope and pray that my efforts have been worthy and acceptable in His sight."

Lillie Abercrombie's survivors include daughters Della and Beverly; sons Charles Jr., John Melvin, James Richard, Sherryfield, and Phillip; 26 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and other extended family members. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Harold; a sister, Martha Mangum; and two grandsons.

Burial: Laurel Creek Methodist Church Cemetery.