Lile was born May 9, 1943 in Lunenburg County Virginia to the late Albert Gooden, Sr. and Elizabeth Postell Gooden. Lile was the fifth child of six children. She was ten years old when she was baptized at the Blackwell Temple Church of Victoria, Virginia in the 60’s, where she remained a member until her death.

Her childhood life was on the farm working with family; they were sharecroppers. She attended Midway-Asbury, Kenbridge Elementary and the Lunenburg Training High School. She met her husband Collins, they courted for a while and married December 24, 1961, and to that wonderful union, eight loving children were born. Lile worked most of her teenage and adult life. She took care of her children – she would go to the ends of the earth for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lile was very active and loved her church. She enjoyed whatever she was assigned to do. She served in many ministries and held many offices over the years. Some of which included, President of the Senior Choir, President of Pastor’s Aide Ministry, President of Greater Work Ministry, President of Bread of Heaven, Chairperson of the Bereavement Committee, Member of Trustee Ministry and Assistant Sunday School Teacher of Class Number Two.

On Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at her home in Victoria, Virginia, the Lord called Lile home to be with him.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Collins L. Hawthorne, Sr., daughter Sabrina Hawthorne-Perry, granddaughter Empress Pope, her parents Albert, Sr. and Elizabeth Gooden, son-in-law Tony J. Robertson, Sr., brother Albert Jr. (Francis); sisters, Irene Simmons (Leroy Sr.), Addie Chaffin (Russell, Sr.), Harriet Gooden-Lee (James); mother-in-law, Susie Smithson (Jack); brothers-in-law, Nathaniel Hawthorne, (Inez), Lecoy Hawthorne (Sarah) and Arthur Smithson (Francis; sisters-in-law, Annie Hardy (James, Sr.) and Helen Gooden.

She leaves to cherish her most precious memories; daughters, Marilyn Robertson, Victoria, Debbie Hawthorne, Dalgreen, VA, Sylvia Hawthorne, Brodnax; Shelia Hawthorne-Loom, Victoria, Cindy Hawthorne, Virginia Beach and Susie Hawthorne, Victoria; one son, Collins L. Hawthorne, Jr. (Yolonda), Belmont, TX; 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Mutrey Gooden, Sr. (Jennette); two special nephews, Nathan Hawthorne and Mutrey Gooden, Jr. “Pete”; four special nieces, Christine Blackwell, Brenda Hardy-Wingfield, Gillette Wright and Tomji Hawthorne; a very true friend, the Rev. Sandra Jones; and three young men that she thought of as her sons, Kevin Hodges, Levi Ingram and Sylvania Hack.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 22, 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Victoria, with Pastor Violet F. Oliver, officiating. Interment was in First Baptist Memorial Gardens, Victoria.

S.P. Jones and Son Funeral Home served the family.