Lillie Elizabeth Lewis was pronounced deceased on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Inova Loudoun Hospital, four days after suffering a heart attack at her home in Airmont, Virginia.

Lillie, known as "Lizzie" to her dearest loved ones, was born on November 27, 1946, outside of Round Hill, Virginia, to Carl Luther Caesar Sr. and Josephine Basil Caesar. A member of Austin Grove United Methodist Church throughout her childhood, she was the fifth of five Caesar siblings and one of three Robinson cousins who were raised as siblings.

Lillie began her education at Willisville School before transferring to Carver Elementary School because of her father's desire for his children to attend a school where their days did not include chopping wood or hauling water. She often shared this story, most recently during a discussion with one of her daughters about A Lesson Before Dying, one of her most cherished books.

She graduated from Douglass High School in 1964 after declining the opportunity to test for admission to Loudoun Valley High School as one of its first Black students. Following graduation, Lillie earned a diploma from the Washington School for Secretaries and worked as a bookkeeper and junior accountant for Kay Jewelers in Washington, D.C.

On September 24, 1966, Lillie united in holy matrimony with Douglas Monroe Lewis at Austin Grove United Methodist Church. She became a homemaker following the 1969 tax season at her husband's request while pregnant with the second of the five children born to their union. For more than fifty years, her talents in cooking, baking, tutoring, and tax preparation blessed family, friends, and the community.

Lillie renewed her commitment to her Christian faith in the 1990s as a member of Powells Grove United Methodist Church, a decision that eventually led to her husband's baptism there. The relationships formed within that congregation remained strong even after the family transferred membership to Agape United Methodist Church.

Lillie was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Monroe Lewis, who passed away on June 18, 2021; her parents, Carl Luther Caesar Sr. and Josephine Basil Caesar; her sons, Anthony Lewis and Andrew Lewis; and two cousins whom she considered brothers, William Robinson and Wilmer Robinson.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Douglas Lewis Jr., Alva Lewis, and Regina Lewis; her grandchildren, Richard Settles (Brittney), Kristen Wilson (Barry), Kim Settles, Garrison Smith, Vikkie Walker, Douglas Steele (Aby), David Lewis (Tylynn), Jordan Lewis, and Jayden Brown; nine great-grandchildren; her siblings, Eleanor Jackson, Edward Caesar, Shirley Cook, Carl Caesar Jr., and Helena Caesar; a special niece, Teresa Aquino; a special nephew, Ron Lincoln; and a host of cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever honor her memory.

Today's homegoing celebration features a musical group that Lillie loved even more than The Temptations—the Agape United Methodist Church and the Men's Choir. May you leave with an uplifted spirit rather than a broken heart, carrying forward the love, faith, wisdom, and memories she shared so generously throughout her life.

The Family

Thank You,