Lillie Harrington Beach Gwin

Lillie Harrington Beach Gwin, 79, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died Saturday, October 24, 2015 in St. Louis. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31st at West End Missionary Baptist Church in Sikeston. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Formerly of Sikeston, Mrs. Gwin was beloved by many. She served as the First Lady of Christian Mission Baptist Church in Monroe, North Carolina and Smithfield White Rock Baptist Church in Charlotte. Active in many organizations, Mrs. Gwin was involved in mission work, serving as president of both the Lane Creek Auxiliary and Union County Union Missions. She hosted annually the Union County Prayer Day and participated in the World Day of Prayer.

Born and raised in Sikeston, Mrs. Gwin was also a very involved member of West End M.B. Church. Her beautiful soprano voice was distinctive. She was also a dedicated Girl Scout leader and enjoyed the theater immensely. She is retired from Belk Department Stores.

She was preceded in death by her husband Rev. James Gwin, parents Freddie and Willie May Harrington, two brothers, Fred Harrington and John Harrington, and one sister, Ernestine Harrington.

Mrs. Gwin leaves behind gloriously remarkable memories to be forever embraced by two sons, Randy B. Echols and Samuel Beach Jr. of St. Louis; six daughters, Senator Maida H. Coleman, Ms. Regina Harrington, and Mrs. Janice Sturgis (James) of St. Louis, Ms. Yolanda Walton, Ms. Sondra Massalay and Ms. Charlotte Young, all of Charlotte; Stepsons Dr, Samuel E. Gwin, Sr. (Luci) and Bishop Dr. Walter C. Gwin, Sr. (Denise) of Charlotte, five stepdaughters Minister Carolyn Chamblee (Robert) or Texas, Ms. Castella Gwin, Elder James Earlene Gwin Edwards, Ms. Barbara Ann Awuruonnye and Ms. Leora D. Gwin all of Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Performing Arts and Literary Society (PALS), 8945 Avebury Drive, Suite F, Charlotte, NC 28213

Austin A. Layne Mortuary of St. Louis and Williams Funeral Homes of Charleston is assisting the Gwin Family.