Dr. Lucille Piggott

Obituary For Dr. Lucille Piggott

The development of this “Pearl of Service,” Dr. Lucille Cornelia Johnson Piggott, began on the Alton, Illinois farm of her two loving parents, the late Mr. Cyrus L. Johnson and the late Mrs. Cornelia Keen Johnson. Lucille was surrounded by nine siblings on the family farm as they were reared by loving, Christian parents who emphasized the importance of respect, love, honesty, sharing, and humor. She learned many life lessons during her youth that would carry her throughout her life.

In 1949, Lucille began a 49-year journey of marriage and love with her devoted husband the late Dr. Bert C. Piggott Sr. Together they lovingly reared their son, Dr. Bert Piggott Jr. Their happy love affair and journey through parenthood were the true highlights of both of their lives. The love they shared for each other was reflected in the devotion and support that they provided each other as they each accomplished their dreams and goals. Bert Sr. was the dynamic and successful head football coach of the North Carolina A&T Aggies and Lucille was devoted to her work as the Dean of Women and subsequently the Dean of Student Development at the university.

Lucille was a woman of faith. In her youth, Lucille joined Salem Baptist Church and remained a faithful member until 1950 when she moved to Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband. They then became members of the St. James Presbyterian Church for several years. Following the passing of Dr. Bert Piggott Sr., she moved her membership to Providence Baptist Church where she remained a member until her passing.

Throughout her life, Lucille’s professional pursuits included serving as a statistical clerk at Supreme Liberty Life Insurance company in Chicago, Illinois, at NC A &T State University serving as a stenographer and subsequently secretary to Dr. Lewis C. Dowdy, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Lucille studied hard while working in these positions and earned her Masters and Doctorate degrees. She then became Dean of Student Development at NC A&T State University and was the first alumna of the university to hold that position and Assistant Professor of Education. During her tenure, she founded the Undergraduate Pan-Hellenic Summit. In Student Affairs at A&T, she impacted the lives of hundreds of students as she focused on character and leadership development. This nurturing, gracious lady incorporated her analytical strength through her work with students and faculty members. When her work was done, she retired as Dean of Student Development

Lucille was an esteemed member of many organizations that were close to her heart. In 1977, Lucille received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine (Distinguished Service Award) which was presented by the governor of North Carolina. She enhanced many agencies with her membership. These agencies included: Progressive Young Peoples Club at Salem Baptist Church (Alton Illinois), National Association of Parliamentarians, Numerous Academic societies, Jack & Jill of America, NAACP, Elder of St. James Presbyterian Church (Greensboro, NC), Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and Archousa of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

For Dr. Lucille Piggott, the concept of sisterhood and organizational involvement began early as she observed her mother who imbued her children with the values and rewards from organizational membership. Her mother taught her that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., was an admirable organization. Lucille began her pursuit of this dream on April 30th, 1952 when she entered Alpha Kappa Alpha through the Alpha Phi chapter at NC A&T State University. After serving as Basileus (president) and Grammateus (secretary), she graduated and transferred to the Beta Iota Omega Alumni Chapter where she served two terms as Basileus and Grammateus. Her chapter inspired the Region and the Boule to have Lucille become the Fourth Mid-Atlantic Regional Director. In 1974, Lucille was recommended to become the Supreme Grammateus (international recording secretary). She was later elected to a second term. From 1998-2002, her third Directorate office was Supreme Parliamentarian (international parliamentarian). In summary, Lucille served Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., at the international level in three unrelated positions. She is a Pearl Member having been financially active for 68 years. “Soror Ceel” held so much love and dedication for the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sisterhood and dedicated much of her energy to service in the organization.

Lucille is beloved for the generous spirit and wit that she shared with the world and the deep and abiding love she held for her son, daughter-in-love, granddaughters, siblings, and extended family and friends. To Lucille, family was her pride and joy. Lucille transitioned to eternal peace with her Lord and Savior on November 7, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents the late Mr. Cyrus L. Johnson and the late Mrs. Cornelia Keen Johnson, her brother the late Mr. Cyrus Johnson, her sister the late Mrs. Cora Johnson Darden, and her sister the late Mrs. Virginia Johnson. She is survived by her only son, Bert Cody Piggott Jr., M.D., her daughter-in-love, Mrs. Bessie Ebron Piggott, her granddaughter, Cierra Piggott McNair M.D., her grandson-in love Mr. McKinley McNair, her granddaughter, Ms. Jaslyn Bria Piggott, and her siblings Mary Johnson Hydman, Harold Johnson (Evelyn), William Johnson, Lloyd Johnson (Minnie), Alvin Johnson (Thelma), and Adele Carpenter (Willie). She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends whom she loved dearly. She often makes reference to “Dem Johnsons” which is a reflection of this close-knit family. She loved to cook for her family and to make her home welcome to all who come to visit. She loved art, fashion, and music. She relished in meeting new people and she would often introduce different people whom she loved to one another. She loved to strike up conversations with young children as she knew that they were the keys to our future.

Lucille’s love and energetic spirit will be with us Forever.

Lucille passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2020. A public viewing will be held on Sunday, November 15, 2020 from 3:30pm-5:30pm in the Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel of Perry J. Brown Funeral Home. A private graveside service, to honor her life, will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020 at Lakeview Memorial Park. The live-stream service can be viewed via Video Stream on the Perry J. Brown Funeral Home website by using the passcode: 41125

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