Lillie C. Billups of Bridgehampton Dies January 14

Lillie C. Billups of Bridgehampton died peacefully in the company of her daughter and niece at Southampton Hospital on January 14. She was 85.

Born on June 15, 1938, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Carl Johnson and Martha Jones, and was ultimately the sixth of 12 children. She grew up in Weeksville, North Carolina, among her siblings and large extended family. She would often speak fondly of being around so much family and enjoying the adventures and fun times with her siblings. She was also a very proud young woman that drew her strength from the immense love of her siblings, her family said.

She married Octavious Billups and produced three daughters, Queen Esther, Christine Faye and Juanita Lynn.

As time passed, many of her siblings began to create permanent residency in Bridgehampton. Her ambitious spirit and desire for a new lifestyle led her to ultimately migrate to Bridgehampton as well, her family said.

She took on domestic work for the likes of Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, New York Governor Hugh Carey and a woman affectionately know as Ms. Elizabeth in Sagaponack. She also was employed at Row Industry Watch Factory in Sag Harbor, where she enjoyed punching the clock with a few of her sisters who were also employed there.

She was driven to use her skills in a professional setting that would yield a pension. It was at this time, with her limited scholastic education, that she studied and earned the position of certified nursing assistant at Southampton Hospital. She would ultimately spend over 25 years serving and caring for friends and family admitted to the hospital. She took pride and pleasure in being a source that assisted with the comfort and healing of those ailing in the East End community, her family said.

Shortly after retirement from the hospital, she became a cab driver. She drove the cab for approximately 15 years. She enjoyed educating her passengers regarding some of the history and landmarks around the East End, and developed a personal relationship with some of her regulars, leading to her being a driver exclusively requested for their transportation.

She loved to load up with family and travel back to Elizabeth City to enjoy extended family. She hosted cook-outs in her yard. She enjoyed her morning coffee by the beach. She enjoyed her North Carolina red sausages. She also enjoyed getting dressed up “Diva” style to hang out and enjoy nightlife with her siblings.

She was also extremely supportive, and would travel to be present at many of her family’s landmark events, such as graduations, weddings, parties, funerals, and special ceremonies.

Her legacy is one of love, courage, determination, generosity and pride, her family said. She was passionate about her family. She displayed courage to leave her roots and establish new beginnings. She displayed determination when navigating a community of elites to educate herself and create a successful career. She showed generosity when providing her sage wisdom, shelter and finances to those in need. Lastly, she displayed pride in establishing herself as an independent woman that overcame the obstacles of racism, and classism, all the way from The South to The Hamptons.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Queen Billups; and her siblings, William “Sonny” Johnson, Ethel Banks, Ernestine Lilly, Brenda Robinson, Melvin “Nick” Johnson, Margaret “Mag” Johnson, Martha “Belvadine” Barnard, and John Wesley Johnson.

She is survived by her siblings, Roxie Harney of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Larry Johnson of Riverhead and Beverly Hopson of Deltona, Florida; her daughters, Christine “Tine Tine” Clay of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and Juanita Lynn Billups of Southampton; her grandchildren, Jeffery Clay (Tamara) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Travis Billups (Sarah) of Richmond, Virginia, Brandon Clay (Kelly) of Woodbridge, Virginia, and Jahlia Nash of Southampton; her great-grandchildren, Bri’yanni, Haven, Brandon Jr., Langston, Drew, Roman, Quest and Sydney; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A homegoing service will be held on Saturday, January 27, at 11 a.m., at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. Interment to follow at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton.