A TIME TO BE BORN

Mother Lillie Balloon Nesbitt was born October 23, 1922, in Madison, Florida, to the Reverend Dozier J. Balloon, Sr. and Leona Thompkins Balloon. She was the second of twelve children born to this union.

A TIME TO HONOR GOD

Growing up in a household of faith, Mother Nesbitt accepted Christ in her life in August 1935 and joined Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Cherry Lake, Florida. That decision was the start of a lifetime of devoted service to the Lord. As her love for Him developed over the years, she willingly and unselfishly gave her three T's: time, talents, and tithes. As a servant leader, she was committed to giving God her best at whatever she did and encouraged others to do likewise.

A TIME TO PLANT

Mother Nesbitt began her education at the Mt. Zion Church School and later graduated from Madison County Training School in 1942. She furthered her education at Florida A & M University and earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education. She returned to Madison County to begin her 49-year career by touching the lives of countless students by teaching not only the three R's, but also morals and values and other life skills. These years of her teaching experience included the two-room schools at Wigginsville/Mosley Hall in Sirmans and Mt. Moriah in Pinetta, Madison County Training School, and finally at Pinetta Elementary School. Her proudest moments after retirement were the times she saw many of her former students who often reflected on her teachable moments and the impact she made on their lives.

A TIME TO SERVE

Having made the decision early in her life to not let her living be in vain, Mother Nesbitt was much involved in the church, community and school system. She blended her strong, rich alto voice by singing in the choir and serving as its president for well over ten years. She also served as a steward, trustee, Church School scholar, and in any other capacity that she was needed. She was a most efficient church clerk with 60 years of experience. (She was known to remind other finance team members that she didn't believe in using the calculator or other electronic devices to get the total. Of course, her system worked very well.) Other areas of her active involvement included her serving as both member of and/or officer in the AME Church Lay organization and Women's Missionary Society (WMS) on local and area levels. She was also an active member who served as an officer in each of the following organizations: the Iota Alpha Chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, the Retired Educators Association, and the Coleman Household of Ruth #3897.

A TIME TO REST

The timing of her passing was unexpected, as such often is. However, God understood the road was getting rough and the hills too hard to climb, so He saw fit to call Mother Nesbitt to join His Heavenly choir on Monday, December 9, 2019, to give her restful, enduring peace.

A TIME TO REJOICE AND CELEBRATE

Her beautiful and well-spent life leaves no time for mourning but rather a time of rejoicing for a life that had unwavering faith in God. We know that we, too, can see her again someday if we keep the faith. Cherishing precious memories are her devoted children: Daniel J. Morgan, Savannah, GA and Cassandra N. Bostick of Madison, FL; grandchildren: Darius (Camill) Bostick, Charlotte, NC, Deidra Bostick, Nashville, TN, Dondrea Bostick, Knoxville, TN and Jeffrey (Shelbra) Bostick of Seffner; great-grandchildren: Cameron, Cairon, Cayden and Nicholas Bostick and Montario Washington;one sister:Leola(Arne)Garvander of Richfield, MN; and a host of sorrowing relatives and friends. Mother Nesbitt was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Nesbitt; her parents, the Reverend Dozier J. Balloon, Sr. and Leona Thompkins Balloon; siblings, Valdora D. Keene, Marian McGhee, Lucile Balloon Aikens, the Reverend Dozier J. Balloon, Jr., Ulus "Bud" Balloon, Ulysses "Buddy" Balloon, Nehemiah Balloon, Juanita Knight, Jessie Hobbs, and Enoch "Dean" Balloon.