Lillie Djakite

Obituary For Lillie Djakite

In Loving Memory of

Lillie Britt D'Jakite

It is with profound sadness, yet hearts filled with gratitude for a life beautifully lived, that we announce the passing of Lillie Britt D'Jakite, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, godmother, sister, mentor, educator, entrepreneur, trailblazer, and friend. Her remarkable life was defined by faith, perseverance, excellence, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others.

Born in Winter Haven, Florida, Lillie was the eldest of eleven children born to Dr. Eva Mae Harden, a world-renowned cosmetologist, and Ulysses Britt. As the oldest sibling, she naturally embraced a life of leadership, compassion, and responsibility, becoming a guiding light and role model for her brothers and sisters throughout her life.

Lillie graduated from Matthews Scippio Academy, a prestigious boarding school founded by the Church of God by Faith, where she developed the discipline, faith, and determination that became the cornerstone of her life's work.

Lillie was born into a family whose influence on the beauty industry was already making history. Her mother, Dr. Eva Mae Harden, was an internationally recognized cosmetologist whose extraordinary talent earned her work as a hairstylist on the set of the acclaimed television series Miami Vice and on major motion pictures including Porky's and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Through her mother's respected reputation in the beauty industry, Lillie was introduced to legendary beauty pioneer Nathaniel Bronner, under whom she began apprenticing and mastering the art and science of cosmetology.

Inspired by her mother's excellence and determination, Lillie followed in Dr. Harden's footsteps but forged an even broader legacy of her own. After relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, she became a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and pioneer. She was among the first African American hairstylists to provide professional salon services inside Macy's Department Store, breaking racial barriers and opening doors for future generations of beauty professionals.

Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish the highly successful Lillie's Hair Salon, which grew into a respected salon chain recognized for excellence, professionalism, innovation, and exceptional client care. She later founded multiple beauty schools throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, where she educated, mentored, and inspired thousands of aspiring cosmetologists. Her impact extended far beyond the salon chair, transforming lives through education, opportunity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

As one of the beauty industry's most respected educators, Lillie worked extensively with the Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show, where she taught advanced techniques, inspired innovation, and helped shape generations of hairstylists. Her influence reached far beyond the classroom. Many accomplished beauty professionals proudly credit Lillie as their mentor, including renowned celebrity hairstylist Lawrence of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and L.A., whose artistry has touched the lives of countless celebrities, entertainers, and political leaders.

Never content to stop teaching, Lillie continued to invest in the next generation throughout the remainder of her career. She proudly served as the Cosmetology Instructor at Pebblebrook High School with the Cobb County School District, where she shared not only her technical expertise but also her passion for excellence, professionalism, and service. Her classroom became a place where students were inspired to believe in themselves, develop their talents, and pursue successful careers in the beauty industry. Pebblebrook High School was the final place she faithfully served before retiring, ending an extraordinary career that spanned decades as a hairstylist, entrepreneur, beauty school owner, mentor, and educator.

While her professional accomplishments were extraordinary, those who knew Lillie will remember her most for her generous heart, unwavering faith, quiet strength, wisdom, elegance, and genuine desire to help others succeed. She believed that true success was never measured by personal achievement alone, but by lifting others, opening doors, and leaving every person better than she found them. Her legacy lives on not only through the businesses she built but through the thousands of lives she touched, the careers she launched, and the confidence she instilled in those blessed to know her.

Lillie leaves behind her husband, Malcolm D'Jakite; her beloved daughter, Yemi Lillie Osborne; her cherished grandsons, Elan Miller, Eli Miller, and Ezra Miller; and her beloved goddaughters, Raina Bell Sanders and Renee Holmes.

She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings: Carmen Britt Ramirez; Carnellia Linder (Joseph Linder Jr.); Melodynese Britt; Sabrina Cheeley (Greg Cheeley); Charmaine Blount (Gonza Blount); Sherrell Britt; and Lataunya Tilstra (Anton Tilstra). She also leaves behind on brother Wendell Britt.

She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, lifelong friends, devoted colleagues, former students, and countless individuals whose lives were forever enriched by her kindness, mentorship, generosity, and remarkable vision.

Though our hearts are heavy with sorrow, we also rejoice in celebrating a life that was exceptionally well lived. Lillie Britt D'Jakite leaves behind a legacy of faith, perseverance, excellence, and service that will continue to inspire generations to come. She did more than style hair she built confidence, created opportunities, mentored future leaders, and transformed the lives of countless people who crossed her path. Her vision, generosity, and unwavering belief in the potential of others helped shape the careers of many who now carry her influence throughout the beauty industry and beyond.

To her family, she was a source of strength, wisdom, unconditional love, and encouragement. To her students, she was a gifted teacher and mentor. To her colleagues, she was a respected leader and innovator. To her community, she was a pioneer whose contributions forever changed the landscape of professional cosmetology.

Although her physical presence will be deeply missed, her spirit lives on in the family she loved the thousands of students she inspired, the professionals she mentored, the businesses she built, and the enduring legacy of excellence she leaves behind. Her life reminds us that true greatness is measured not only by personal success but by the lives we uplift, the doors we open for others, and the love we leave in the hearts of those who knew us.

Lillie ran her race with grace, courage, and unwavering purpose. Her work on earth is complete, but her influence will continue to flourish for generations. Her inspired herself not only found herself in the salons she built or the schools she founded, but in every life, she touched, every dream she encouraged, and every person she inspired to believe in themselves. She leaves behind a standard of excellence, integrity, and compassion that will continue to shine through all who have the privilege of knowing her.

She will forever be remembered, forever be honored, forever be loved, and forever be celebrated as one of the beauty industry's true pioneers whose light will never fade.

Funeral Service:

Will be held on

Saturday, August 1, 2026

4:00 PM

At Elizabeth's Chapel

3000 Martin Luthert King,

Jr., Drive, SW,

Atlanta, GA 30311

Mrs. Djakite will have public viewing on

Friday, July 31, 2026

Here at the funeral Home.

Interment:

Will be at a later date.

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