Lillian Marie Faris
February 23, 1931 - April 15, 2023

Lillian Anderson Faris, age 92, of St. Joseph died Saturday, April 15, 2023. Lillian Marie Murray was born February 23, 1931 in Lake City, Arkansas. Her parents, Thomas Monroe Murray, and Bertha Mae Murray (née Boone), were sharecropper farmers with limited means and little formal education. She was the sixth of seven children and the first in her family to graduate high school. Upon graduation from Trumann High School, she used her skills of shorthand and typing to obtain employment as a legal secretary for a local attorney. Lillian married another Trumann area native, Vernon Anderson Sr., and moved to join him in Benton Harbor. She lived the remainder of her life in the Benton Harbor-Saint Joseph area. After moving to Michigan, she continued as a legal secretary, working for Attorney Harry Laity, as well as the law firm of Butzbaugh, Page, and Byrns. She earned her real estate license and worked briefly as an agent for the Kuschel Agency at a time when female realtors were not numerous. Most of her employment career was spent working for the Berrien County Bureau of Social Aid which morphed into the Berrien County Department of Social Services. She began as a typist, then became a secretary, and had become office manager by the time of her retirement. After the death of her first husband, Lillian married Clifford (Cliff) Faris. They shared many enjoyable activities and interests in their happy retirement years before his death.   Lillian was a good cook (“a good cook with a book” as one of her sisters teased). She enjoyed trying new recipes, especially desserts. She liked sewing and could craft a Youth Parade costume, matching mother-daughter dresses, or a trendy outfit. In her retirement years, she developed a passion for doll collecting. She also enjoyed gardening, travel, reading, and family gatherings. Lillian was a longtime member of Fairplain Assembly of God. Within her denomination, she advocated for greater participation for women in leadership positions, even though it was an idea whose time had not yet come. In later years, she worshipped at First Church of God, First Church of the Nazarene, and Blue Roof Church. She also enjoyed meeting with her ladies’ groups for Bible study and spiritual fellowship (as well as desserts and coffee). Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; half-sibling, William Murray; siblings, Ruth Tarver, Edith Neal, Viola Newell, Alfred Murray, and Hilda Humphries; husbands, Vernon Anderson, Sr., and Clifford Faris; and son, David Allen Anderson. She is survived by son, Vernon (Denise) Anderson of St. Joseph; daughter, Sharon (Major Ted) Phairas of Plainfield, IL; stepson, Dennis (Vickie) Faris of Coloma and other family members; stepdaughter, Rhonda Faris of Benton Harbor; granddaughters, Dr. Elizabeth (Liza) Anderson of New York, NY, and Karen (Jared) Brodbeck of Metamora, IL; grandsons, Jason (Natasha) Phairas of St. Albert, Canada and Daniel Phairas of Plainfield, IL; great-grandchildren, James and Jacob Brodbeck, and Emilia Phairas. In lieu of flowers or memorial donations, gifts of quality time shared with others, and compassionate service to them, would best honor and exemplify Lillian’s life. Those wishing to share a memory or convey a condolence may do so online at www.starksfamilyfh.com. Graveside service will be Tuesday, April 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Bro. Rick Forbis officiating under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.  Online guest book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net