Lucille Rounds

1919 - 2016

?Lucille Rounds was born September 9, 1919 in Athens Georgia, one of nine children born to the marriage of Reverend Temus Franklin Thomas and Dora Mae Hitchcock. The family moved from Georgia to Chicago, Illinois in 1922. As a "Preacher's Kid," Lucille accepted Christ at an early age. Lucille loved learning and was an advocate for education. Math was her forte' and she possessed exceptional financial skills. She excelled in school, graudating with several academic and athletic honors. Lucille's work life began at 18 when she took a job as an activity coordinator at the YMCA for the National Youth Administration, a program created by the Theodore and Eleanor Roosevelt Administration. During this time and without formal training, Lucille developed her skills as a dancer and musician. Lucille became a popular pianist who played throughout the Chicagoland area. 1938 was a pivotal year for Lucille. It was during that year when she met a confident, gifted drummer and her future husband Lee Rounds, while filling in as the pianist on a gig at the Cozy Corner Jazz Club on Chicago's West Side. Six children were born to their marriage, three of them, Kenneth, Lee Jr., and Patricia preceded their mother in death. Her husband, Lee Sr. passed away September 1, 2007. Lucille dedicated her life to serving others which was reflected throughout her work life. She held positions at Charles F. Clark & Company, The United States Postal Service and Encyclopedia Britannica before retiring to enjoy her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. However, her passion for music never faded and she continued playing and refining her music skills. Music was Ms. Lucille's "Superpower"; the piano was the vehicle she used to entertain and educate anyone who was passionate about music and her home served as the "classroom" for anyone who was interested in learning. After a brief hospitalization, Lucille was moved to home hospice on May 22, 2016 and remained at home until her passing. She accepted that this life would soon end for her with her characteristic pragmatism, but also with extraordinary grace and dignity. She never failed to say "thank you" for each instance of personal assistance until she could no longer do so. Lucille Rounds left this life on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 7:50pm. She leaves a large family to grieve her loss: children - Constance, Alan and Audrey; grandchildren - Mark (Tekella), Lisa, Robert (Marian), Karen (Odell), Kenneth Jr., Tracey, Gregory (Lakesia), Temika (deceased), Erica and Jeffery (Vanessa); great grandchildren - Jabahari, Blake, Nicholas, Markella, Jordan, Micah, Reginald, Kendall, Laela, Loren, Naomi and McKenzie; sister - Lena Wallace and tons of nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Lucille's presence was so strong and extensive that with her passing, one more light has been extinguished from our lives. But our grief is tempered in knowing that Lucille is free of her earthly pain and suffering. We are comforted in our faith that a loving and benevolent God has received Lucille into his loving care. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 10am, with services following at 11am at A. A. Rayner & Sons Funeral Home, 318 E. 71 St. Chicago, IL