Lillian Salifu

Lillian was born to the union of Albert and Lillian Cox Winton (one of the Cox Triplets) on August 10, 1954 in Knoxville, TN. After birth, it was joked that she had a face that looked like Winston Churchill or George Kennedy. However, a little later on she became as cute as a button. Her and her siblings developed their own language; Example: ‘Ook Mama Ook, translated, “She wants milk Momma.” From age 9 months to age 10 (her age) they played together without any parental guidance. This was before the age of Legos, Lincoln Logs, American Bricks, Tootsie Toys, Coloring Books, Marx Trains, Wooden Blocks, etc.

Lillian was a product of the Knoxville city school system, but graduated from Lenoir City High School, Lenoir City, TN. She enlisted in the United States Air Force. After service, she found out, “I’ve got to buy my own clothes, food, and pay rent…. I can’t make it…. I’m going back in.” So she enlisted in the United States Army. After the Army, and several odd jobs, she worked at the Michael Dunn Youth Center. She said every holiday that there were children who wanted to go home with her. Her last employment was at Ashley Manning in Oak Ridge, TN.

Lillian was married 4 times (the family suggested she should write a book). Lillian was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease and spent 4-5 years at Diversicare of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, TN. Lillian passed away on January 21, 2026, from complications of Parkinsons Disease.

Lillian leaves behind 5 brothers and sisters: Lavern Mimms, Blonnie Thompson, Paul Thompson, Harry Gillespie, and Albert Winton Jr. She also leaves a plethora of cousins, nieces and nephews, etc. She says goodbye to: Walter Cox, Jr., Laurie Cox, Johnny Cox, Pamela Cox, Vickie Anderson, Farrell Cox, Debra Leon, Betty Woods Winton, Jean Cox, Cedric Winton, David Winton, Steve Winton, Audrey Winton Jupiter, Phyliss Miller, Kenneth Valentine, Leonard Smith, Darla Pratt, Stella Marie Livesay, Chester McCoy, Ernestine Booker, Yvette Booker, Janice Jones, Corbina Timmons, Raejon Timmons, and friends of Voice of Deliverance Church, Harriman, TN.

A very special thank you to cousin Tony Parks, who served as liaison between Jarnigan’s Mortuary and Albert J. Winton, Jr., allowing a smooth homegoing for my dear sister, Lillian “Bookie”.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 2200 East Governor John Sevier Hwy Knoxville, TN 37920.