Lillian Ralston, 68

PHILADELPHIA - Lillian "Lil" Ralston departed this life on Saturday, July 21, 2007, in her home, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. She was 68.

Mrs. Ralston was born on Dec. 19, 1938, in Harrington, to the late Edith Ralston who later married the late Freeman Mitchell Sr. who helped to raise her.

She was known by her immediate and Delaware family as "Betty Boop" and "Layin."

Mrs. Ralston attended school in Harrington until the age of 12. She later moved to Philadelphia where she was educated in the public school system, later graduating from the O.I.C. Institute.

She accepted Christ in her life at an early age.

Mrs. Ralston rededicated her life to Christ in 1993 and became a member of Nazarene Baptist Church. There, she participated in Women"s Day activities and faithfully enjoyed attending Sunday school.

She was employed at Diversified Electronics as an electronic assembler where she retired after 25 years of service.

Mrs. Ralston later worked at the Running Press Book Co. Since 1995, she was an established Avon representative.

She enjoyed it so much that she was faithfully committed to selling Avon throughout her illness until the time of her passing. She was an interior decorator at heart. She enjoyed making suggestions on how to add a special touch to your home.

Mrs. Ralston loved plants, lavishing her home with a variety of arrangements. She was known for her fashion sense, sporting matching hats, headbands, purses and shoes. Her affectionate smile and lovable hugs left an impact on everyone she met. Her sense of humor would make you laugh.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Gary Ralston.

She is survived by her loving and devoted daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Irving Alvin and Eugenia and Keith Ralston, all of Philadelphia; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Marcel Ralston of New York, Freeman and Aisha Mitchell of Philadelphia; a sister and a brother-in-law, Karen and Boo-Tie Mitchell of Philadelphia; five grandchildren, Janeem and his sons, Haneef and Tyhir, Nedia, Keaira, Neil, and Kianni; a god-daughter, Carol Holland; two nieces, Nabila and her daughter, Nahla, and Dominiqua; a nephew, Dominique and his son, Nasir; special sister-cousin, Frances and Pammie Benson; a cousin, Jean Minor; special friends, Frances Daniels, Theresa Bowers, Bert Bryce, Mable Miles, Bessie Baldwin, Louise Williams, Shirley Jefferson; her beloved dog, "troub"; extended Benson and Thorpe families of Delaware; and a host of dear friends.

Services will be 11 a.m. today in Nazarene Baptist Church, 3975 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, where friends may call at 9 a.m.

Burial will be in Mont Peace Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Arrangements by Baker Funeral Home, Philadelphia.