Page 2 - Mr. Lillard Home-going Celebration

Obituary
Deacon Rawlan Lillard, Sr was born October 6, 1937 in Danville, Illinois. The son of Theotto Lillard, Sr and Geraldine (Martin) Lillard. During his formative years, he graduated from Danville High School. From there Rawlan attended Eastern Illinois University where he received his bachelor in Education. Upon graduation, in 1960, Rawlan moved to Flint, Michigan to begin work with the Flint Community Schools as an Art Teacher at Parkland and Fairview Elementary Schools.
Rawlan ran track in high school and never really stopped running. He specialized in the 440 yard and 880 yard and became the first Black Captain of the 1955 -1956 Daville High School track team. Upon graduating from high school, Rawlan received a scholarship to run track at Eastern Illinois University where he excelled in Cross Country and became the first Black Captain of the 1959 -1906 Eastern Illinois University Cross Country Team.
Although Rawlan’s career started as an Art Teacher in 1960, he soon began to grow within Flint Schools. He was promoted to Staff Specialist in1971 and earned his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Michigan. In 1974 Rawlan was promoted to Assistant Principal at Emerson Junior High School and in 1980 he was promoted to Principal of Gundry Elementary.
During his time as Principal of Gundry Elementary School, Rawlan began the following programs: 1.) Flint’s first Cradle School, a program that provides parent education, parent and child interaction and kindergarten readiness for children from birth to five years of age. 2.) Gundry’s Uniform program to de-emphasize the importance of “in style’ clothes for children.
3.) The Gundry Area Parent Association and a Grandparent Support Group. 4.) The Smart Start Center with the Mott Children’s Health Center and a variety of health and human services programs for infants, young children and their families.
In order to sustain these programs, Rawlan was instrumental in obtaining a grant for $500,000.00 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a $100,000.00 grant from the Kellogg Foundation. Michigan State University also partnered with Gundry Elementary in several other programs that benefited Gundry Elementary and the Flint Community.
Upon retiring from the Flint Community Schools, Rawlan became the Associate Director for the National Center for Community Education. While employed with the Center, Rawlan traveled throughout the United States lecturing on the “Role of The Principal” and the importance of Community Education.
Rawlan is a committed Deacon, Security Ministry, Men’s Choir and Superintendent of
Sunday Schools at the First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.
Rawlan loved sports. He enjoyed football so much that he brainwashed his children to
become The University of Michigan Football and the Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Rawlan said, “You were not a Lillard if you didn’t root for U of M football or the Pittsburgh Steelers”! He participated in the First Trinity Bowling League where he talked trash on the lanes and cracked jokes to keep you off balance during your game. Rawlan found peace painting subjects that would include landscapes, clouds and biblical scenes. His paintings have been displayed at the Flint Art Council, First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church and Ascension/Genesys.
Rawlan leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 61 years Myra Lorraine Lillard of Flint MI, sister, Marian Cloyd, 4 devoted sons, Steven Lillard Sr, Rawlan (Eraina) Lillard II, and Derrick (Kendra) Lillard of Flint MI, Jeffrey (Sheree) Lillard, Sr of Kalamazoo MI; 15 Grand
Children, 6 God Children and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Rawlan was preceded in death by his father, Theotto Lillard, Sr, mother, Geraldine (Martin) Lillard, sister Wanda Hazel, brother Theotto Lillard Jr, sisters Delores Phillpott and Genevieve Thompson, niece Cassandra Reed, nephews Randy Lillard and Theotto Lillard III, daughter in law, Tracy (Jones) Lillard.