Lillie Ruth McMillen

HAIRSTON.org ID#1712, b. 2 October 1898, d. 19 July 1975
Birth*Lillie Ruth McMillen was born on 2 October 1898.1 
Marriage*She married Robert Franklin Willis on 19 December 1917 in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee. Wedding annoucement in the Commercial Appeal, 19 December 1917, page 7. 
Census 1920Lillie Ruth McMillen appeared on the 1920 census of Robert Franklin Willis on 13 February 1920 in District 6, Tipton, Tennessee; Robert F. Willis 29, wife Lillie R. 20, daughters Valia R. 1 and Mildred L. 1 month. 
Death Spouse*Her husband, Robert F. Willis, died on 24 July 1921. 
Marriage*Lillie Ruth McMillen married John Baker Shelby, son of Charles S. SHELBY and Hester Henry BAKER, on 5 June 1922.2 
Census 1930Lillie Ruth McMillen appeared on the 1930 census of John Baker Shelby on 16 April 1930 in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee; John B. Shelby 39, wife Lilly R. 31, step-daughter Mildred W. 10, son John B. Shelby 6, daughter Mary R. Shelby 2.3 
Census 1940Lillie Ruth McMillen appeared on the 1940 census of John Baker Shelby on 8 April 1940 in Ward 21, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee; John Baker Shelby 49, wife Lilliy Ruth 41, stepdaughter Mildred L. 20, son John B. Jr. 16 and daughter Mary Ruth 12..4 
Census 1950*Lillie Ruth McMillen was Head of Household in the 1950 Federal Census on 18 April 1950 in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee. Ruth L. Shelby 51 widow, daughter Mary R. Shelby 22. John B. Shelby Jr. is listed, but there is a line drawn through his name.5 
Death*She died on 19 July 1975 at age 76.1 

Family 1

Robert Franklin Willis b. 2 Mar 1890, d. 24 Jul 1921
Children

Family 2

John Baker Shelby b. 11 May 1890, d. 3 Sep 1949
Children

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S93] Social Security Death Index.
  2. [S164] Shelby. Bible - Shelby Family 1826-1970. N.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date. Martha Carroll, unknown location.
  3. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  4. [S1940] 1940 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  5. [S1950] 1950 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  6. [S51] Death Certificate.
  7. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
Last Edited5 Jul 2026