Lillie Elizabeth Burrell

Lillie Elizabeth Burrell, 83, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Lillie was born in Chicago, IL on May 29, 1936. Lillie was the 11th of 12 children born to the late William Stephen Jones and Lula Elizabeth (Holmes) Jones. Lillie grew up in Chicago, IL in a house across the street from Copernicus Elementary School where her father worked as a janitor. Her mother was a homemaker. Lillie attended Copernicus and went on to graduate from Linblom High School in 1953. After high school, she briefly attended nursing school before enrolling in and graduating from DePaul University. It was during her college years that she met her future husband, Kelwin Howard Burrell. The two wed in 1959 and their marriage lasted over 30 years and produced four children. As a native Chicagoan, Lillie was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan and reveled in the Cubs’ 2016 World Series Championship. In 1965, Kelwin, Lillie and their two oldest children moved to Denver, CO and settled in the progressive neighborhood of Park Hill. Lillie worked briefly at Head Start before her two youngest children were born. She then began a 29-year career with Continental Airlines. Lillie loved to cook and frequently experimented with recipes for everything from homemade yogurt to homemade tamales. Her famous beef tenderloin stuffed with lobster was a staple of her annual Christmas dinner. Lillie was an excellent seamstress, an avid reader, and a world traveler. She also held a great fondness for reggae legend Bob Marley and his music. When not working or wrangling her four children, Lillie loved to play bridge and belonged to a bridge club. Lillie and Kelwin were also members of the popular African American social club The In-Crowd. On Sundays you could find her at St. Thomas Episcopal Church where she was a faithful member for over 50 years beginning in 1965. At St. Thomas she was an acolyte and usher for many years and also volunteered to assist and help the homeless families that the church hosted. She did additional volunteer work with the homeless at Denver’s Rescue Mission. Lillie was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Mary Browne, Katherine Ewing, and Pauline George; and brothers William Jones (Marzelle), Gaylan Jones (Catherine), Wadsworth Jones (Marcia), Ira Jones, Jack Jones, Ralph Jones, and John Jones (Margery). She is survived by her brother Robert Jones (Mary Jean) of Chicago, IL, and her children: sons Kyle Burrell, Pittsburgh, PA, and Quentin Burrell (Jennifer), Denver, CO; and daughters Linda Bardere (Eric), Colton, CA, and Lauren Burrell, Denver, CO; granddaughters Alexa Taylor (Aaron), Kaylie Hill, and Ella Burrell; grandsons Jabrael Hill, Jackson Burrell, and Lucas Burrell; and one great-grandson Ryland Hill. The family is grateful to Lauren Burrell for taking care of Lillie for the last two years and to the staff at Sunrise at Cherry Creek who provided care for the final months of her life. A funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, January 24 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2201 Dexter St. Denver, CO 80207. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Lillie’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Heifer International or St. Thomas Episcopal Church.