In Loving Memory of Lillian Barbara Micheel Emery

Lillian Barbara Micheel Emery, known fondly as "Diamond Lil," entered eternal life on June 2, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. Born on February 14th, 1934, in the heart of Germantown, Illinois, Lillian was the cherished daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Eversgerd Micheel. She grew up surrounded by the warmth of family in their family barbershop, alongside her four older brothers and one sister: Paul, Virginia, Thomas, Leon, and Roger. As the last surviving member of the Micheel family, Lillian leaves behind an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her.

At the age of sixteen, Lillian's spirit of determination and adventure led her to Decatur Barber College, where she successfully graduated and passed the Illinois Barber Exam. Lillian broke the glass ceiling becoming the youngest Lady Barber hired by Scott Air Force Base to run the military barber shop along with her brother Leon. While working at Scott she met the love of her life, Clayton (Ish) Emery of Blytheville, Arkansas. Clay was a First Sargent and had already served in Germany to help in post WW11 reconstruction. Clay changed Lillian's life when he asked her to marry him. Lillian always dreamed of traveling the world, Clay fulfilled her dream by being married in Hayward, CA in 1952.

Lillian and Clay raised four children: Clayton J. of Davie, FL (wife Ellen); Barbara J. of Coral Springs, FL; Teresa L. of Margate, FL (husband Joe); and Linda G. of Tamarac, FL. Also left to cherish Lillian's memory are her five grandchildren, Brett (wife Danielle) of Altamonte Springs, FL; Carina (husband Nick) of Lakeside, CA; Adam of Margate, FL; Alex of Miami Beach, FL; and Felicia Lily of Boulder, CO. Lillian was overjoyed with her two great grandchildren: Bretton, age nine and Logan age three of Altamonte Springs, FL.
Lillian lived an incredible and exciting life. Born after the Depression to a hard-working family, she assisted in her family's Germantown barber shop after working at Scott each day. Once Lillian married, she followed Clay on all his military assignments. One rugged and pioneering assignment was in Anchorage Alaska in 1953 when it was still a US territory. There was no base housing in Anchorage, the military asked the recruits

to bring their own housing if they wanted to bring their family. In 1953 Clay and Lil bought a 27-foot travel trailer, together, along with their infant son Clay, they hauled the trailer up the wild Alaskan Canadian highway (Al-Can highway) over 3000 miles with no roadside assistance, pay phones or money. They almost lost the trailer over a cliff due to icy conditions, but a good Samaritan came to their rescue and refused payment when helping them reach a safe stop. Alaska was a very demanding assignment with limited resources. They needed barbers, so Clay built a lean-to small barber shop for their trailer, and Lil became the barber for all new recruits. In March 1955 Clay surprised Lil by converting to Catholicism and being baptized on the same day as their infant daughter Barbara. After Alaska, Lil enjoyed assignments at Cheyenne WY where she was named Woman of the Year in 1957 by the Women's Guild. Next was Wichita Falls TX; Tucson, AZ; Chicopee Falls, MA; Biloxi, MS; Jacksonville, FL; Naples, Italy; Trenton, NJ; Palatine, IL; Atlanta, GA; Miami, FL; and finally settling down in Sunrise FL.

While living in Atlanta, GA, Lil and Clay opened a very forward-thinking game business in the 1970's called Clills Video, a Pac-Man Atari type of gaming, the business was very successful providing them wonderful memories and extra income. Lil enjoyed traveling to many exotic places, and one she cherished was visiting the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey. 'Diamond Lil' was known for her fun loving, lively and happy personality. She was always ready to hit the dance floor, try new cuisine, or her luck at a slot machine. "Diamond Lil's favorite color was red, and she loved to wear sparkles and rhinestones".

Lillian's most important role was being the mother of her four children and caring for her devoted husband Clay. Lillian and Clay were thrilled to celebrate their 71st wedding anniversary on January 12th, 2023, shortly after returning from a wonderful family reunion Caribbean cruise in late December. Sadly, Lillian lost the love of her life, Clay, on January 30th, 2023. She grieved every day after and did look forward to the day they would be reunited in eternal life.

Lil was the most fun-loving, happy person anyone ever met, she could charm everyone in an instant, always interested in meeting new friends. Lillian's motto was "Never Give Up". We are grateful for the time we had and will cherish our memories of Diamond Lil; she was that rare, unique, one-of-a-kind beautiful soul who will be eternally missed by all her family and friends.

A visitation will be held at Coral Springs Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 11th from 4-7PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Bernard's Catholic Church on Wednesday, June12th at 11AM. Lillian will be buried and reunited with her beloved Clay at the South Florida National Cemetery on Thursday, June13th at 10:30AM, so they can finally be together again forever.

Diamond Lil wanted to invite all family and friends to a post-funeral Mass luncheon on Wednesday, June 12th at 12:30pm at Landlubbers in Plantation, FL—Clay and Lil's favorite spot- to toast their wonderful life. Please join us in celebrating.

Services for Lillian are in the care of Coral Springs Funeral Home. Please share your memories or leave your condolences to her family with this Online Guestbook.