Lillian Ray, former assistant deputy mayor, onetime Philadelphia drug czar, and celebrated community activist, has died at 88
She was named assistant deputy mayor for drug control by Mayor Wilson Goode in 1989, and drug czar by Mayor Ed Rendell in 1999.
Lillian Ray, 88, of Philadelphia, former assistant deputy mayor for criminal justice and drug control, onetime city drug czar, award-winning community activist, mentor, and volunteer, died Monday, Dec. 30, after a brief illness at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
A longtime neighborhood leader and organizer in Grays Ferry, Mrs. Ray was named assistant deputy mayor for drug control by Mayor Wilson Goode in 1989. She also served under Mayors Ed Rendell and John F. Street, and Rendell named her the first woman to serve as drug czar in 1999. She retired in 2002.
“Philadelphia has lost a remarkable community leader,” City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said in a tribute. “She leaves a legacy as a community leader that worked tirelessly every day to make Philadelphia a better city for everyone.”
Mrs. Ray was especially adept at forging working relationships among residents, police, elected officials, city agencies, and others. In 2017, City Council ceremonially renamed South 31st Street, between Grays Ferry Avenue and Wharton Street, “Lillian Ray Way” to mark her service to the city.
As drug czar, she coordinated treatment, education, and law enforcement activities among city agencies and community groups. As an assistant deputy mayor for 10 years in the 1990s, she marshaled city, state, and federal resources to combat gun violence and drug abuse, and streamlined outdated criminal justice strategies.
Before that, she energized her neighbors and organized Grays Ferry Unified, the Direct Truth Anti-Drug Coalition, and other groups. She was executive director of Stinger Square Community Services in the 1980s and served on Goode’s South Philadelphia Task Force on gang and racial violence.
Her early programs sponsored literacy and computer training classes, youth job initiatives, senior citizen enrichment workshops, and holiday dinners and parties. She organized toy drives, food distribution networks, and a town watch program. She helped create a local interracial sports league and drill team.
She supported the city’s mural arts program and its Peace Wall Mural in Grays Ferry. She led protest marches and held vigils.
Local radio personality Patty Jackson called Mrs. Ray “a true light in the community” in an online tribute. Other friends said she was a “pillar for many people” and a “beautiful, classy, encouraging woman of grace.” A former colleague in the neighborhood said: “I’ll never forget her kindness and encouragement.”
Mrs. Ray earned the Sen. Roxanne Jones Community Service Award and the city’s Anti-Drug Crusaders Award. She was named the mayor’s 1986 Volunteer of the Year for her “outstanding work with youths and senior citizens.” In March 2009, the state House of Representatives recognized her during Women’s History Month.
She also served on volunteer panels, advisory boards, and city and state task forces on drugs, smoking, and other topics. She was featured and quoted often in The Inquirer and Daily News.
In 1998, Daily News columnist Dan Geringer called her a “persistently joyful spirit in a community that has had its share of hard times.” She told Geringer: “Most of the hatred that you see is from people who have a bitterness inside that they can’t shake off.”
In a 1990 letter to the editor of the Daily News, Mrs. Ray said criminal legislation was not the best way to combat drug abuse. “Why not try legalizing love?” she said. “Try taking a step toward understanding, caring, doing the right thing, and before long, you will be ‘legalizing love’ from your heart.”
Lillian Gaines was born May 31, 1936, in Philadelphia. She graduated from Edward Bok High School and married Melvin Ray in 1954. They lived in South Philadelphia and had daughters Toria and Traci, and sons Vincent, Darrell, Rodney, Dwayne, Kevin, Michael, and Gregory. Her husband and son Vincent died earlier.
“She loved her Grays Ferry neighborhood, and she was very active in making Grays Ferry and the entire city safer for all residents.”
Mrs. Ray was active at church and became a deaconess at Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church. She was an accomplished chef, ran a restaurant in Grays Ferry, and worked as a personal chef for former Eagles star DeSean Jackson.
“She was loving and compassionate,” said her daughter Traci. “She wanted to save the world and save the youth.”
Mrs. Ray told the Daily News in 1986 that she was inspired to help young people. “What happened was, I had an encounter with the Lord, and he put a love in my heart for the kids,” she said. “I’ll probably die doing what I’m doing right now. It’s something he has showed me is needed.”
In addition to her children, Mrs. Ray is survived by 22 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and other relatives. Several siblings died earlier.
Visitation with the family is to be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Triumph Baptist Church, 1648 W. Hunting Park Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19140. A celebration of her life is to follow.