Lillie Ham Hendry

Lillie Ham Hendry was born in Freehold, New Jersey, to two loving parents, Walter and Lillian Ham. She entered her eternal rest on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Her sisters and brothers were Marion, Katherine, Walter, Joseph, Leona, Wilma, David and Sally Anne. She was the Matriarch of her family and a devoted Sister, Aunt, Godmother, Mentor, and Friend. She was a lifelong member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Freehold, New Jersey, and was a well-respected advisor to her community at large.

Lillie learned at an early age “Service is the price you pay for the space you occupy while here on earth.” Her parents taught her you are where you are because others cared…so early in life she adopted a caring philosophy.  Lillie matriculated through the Court Street School, Freehold High School and State Teacher’s College (The College of New Jersey) where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education and a Master’s Degree in K-12 education in 1951. Lillie was the only black student in the class. 

Lillie received her first teaching job at Rowan School in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, where she became the first black female teacher. It was there she learned of the Senator Fulbright Exchange Teaching Program and after interviewing was selected to go and teach British students in England. While there she was photographed with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll whom she met in 1957. In total, Lillie spent 39 years teaching. She taught language arts and social studies at Freehold Intermediate School from 1960 – 1969 and ended her educational career as Supervisor of the Freehold High School Guidance Department in 1999. After retirement she focused her energy on restoring the Court Street School Community Education Center where she held the position of President Emeritus and was instrumental in having it declared an official historic site in New Jersey and placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 1995. 

As a faithful member of Bethel A.M.E. Church she served as the former President of Bethel’s Scholarship Committee which has provided financial aid to college students for over 40 years. She was a founding member of the Flower Club and served on the Organized Lay, the Golden Age Ministry and the Historical Committee.

Her community involvement includes serving on the Freehold Borough Land Use Board, The Planning Board, The Freehold Area Hospital (CentraState) Board of Trustees, The Court Street School Board of Trustees and an Adjunct Career Counselor at Brookdale Community College.  

Lillie received the McGackin Community Service Award in 2000, The Drum Major for Humanity Award by the MLK Jr. Commemorative Commission in 2004, The Human Rights For Education Award by Monmouth County Education Association in 2005, inducted into the Freehold High School Hall of Fame in 2006, Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contribution by the Superior Court of NJ & Borough Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year in 2013 and Outstanding Commitment & Community Service Award by Brookdale Community College in 2019.  Lillie’s accomplishments & awards speak to her steadfast commitment and willingness to serve and be of service to others.

Lillie was predeceased by her husband, George Hendry in 2003. She leaves to cherish her memory her brother, David Ham, Godchildren, Margaret Lewis, Helene Townsend, Viveca Freeman and Joan Drewry as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made out to Court Street School Education Community Center and Provisions Promised Pantry.

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