A tall tale

By Malynda Fulton

The Valdosta Daily Times



VALDOSTA — I always enjoy meeting new people, especially newcomers to the area. When I first heard about Christopher Lilly through a relative, I knew I had to meet him and learn a little more about him. After meeting Lilly for the first time, I understand why my relative, and others who know Lilly, admire his counseling, leadership and values. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, Lilly’s big and positive personality complements his equally big stature. Today, meet Christopher Lilly.

Christopher Lilly, 38, is originally from North Carolina. He was raised by his parents, Elaine Lilly and the late Sam Lilly, along with two older sisters, Donna and Juanita.

After graduating from high school, Lilly enrolled in North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, N.C.

“While in college, I began to work for UPS,” Lilly said. “I started out working on the dock.”

During his college years, Lilly also met the former Jacqueline Jefferson, originally of New Jersey, during a beach trip. Exactly one year from the day they met, the couple was married on a beach in Jamaica.

Lilly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management from North Carolina A & T. His experience, tenure and education helped him quickly advance from a dock worker to a business manager at UPS. After becoming a manager, Lilly and his wife relocated from the UPS in Greensboro to the UPS in Charlotte.

In 2006, after working at UPS for 18 years, Lilly decided that it was time for a career shift.

“My job at UPS took up an ample amount of my time, and it didn’t allow me much time with my wife and daughter, Kennedy,” Lilly said. “I had to reprioritize my life. So, instead of putting work before family, I learned to focus on God first, then family, then my career.”

Lilly was hired as a coach/front-line supervisor at Lowe’s in Charlotte in 2006.

“Within 18 months, I was promoted to assistant operations manager, then to operations manager and then general manager,” he said.

With almost every level of management under his belt, Lilly agreed to a job transferal to the Lowe’s Distribution Center in Valdosta. He now serves as the center’s assistant general manager.

“As the assistant general manager, I oversee the operations side of the distribution center,” Lilly said. “I supervise three operations managers, six operations managers, 36 coaches and roughly 600 to 700 employees in the building. I love my job. It’s great, and every day there is something new and challenging.”

Lilly said that the best part of his job is working with diverse groups of people. Another part of the job he enjoys is the distribution center’s contributions to the community and nonprofit organizations. Relay for Life is among several community events Lowe’s participates in, Lilly said.

“I have competed in the Mr. Relay for Life pageant for the past two years,” he said. “I had to dress as a woman named Louella. At first, I agreed to do it because the pageant starts at midnight, so I didn’t think many people would show up for it. But they were out there. I won the pageant both years.”

His job’s commitment to community service has also encouraged Lilly to get involved in the community personally.

“I’m about to start working with the local United Way. I’m really excited about that now,” he said.

In his spare time, Lilly stays busy with recreational activities.

“I decided that in order to enjoy the things that I have I had to get healthy, so I’ve been working out lately and eating right,” Lilly said. “I work out every day at American Body Works. I recently lost 90 pounds.”

Lilly said he also likes to “play at golf.”

“I’m trying to get good at it, but for now I just play at golf rather than play golf,” he said.

Lilly also plans to go hunting for the first time during the next deer hunting season with his boss.

Lilly often takes his daughter with him when he plays golf.

“Kennedy takes up the majority of my time. I take her fishing and shopping. I take her to get her nails done,” he said. “She even helps me with the yard work.”

Lilly added that Kennedy currently plays T-ball, soccer and violin. She also swims and takes ballet classes.

Lilly admits that he probably wouldn’t enjoy so much recreation if he and his family were still in Charlotte.

“I grew up in a large neighborhood, and I’ve always lived in large cities. Therefore, I have always been busy ... so busy that I never really took the time to appreciate everything. Valdosta is definitely a place to get used to if you’ve never been here. Most of the people are very friendly and nice. And the city continues to grow,” he said.

Lilly said that another benefit to Valdosta is its proximity to several beaches.

“We love to travel, and the beach is one of our favorite spots,” Lilly said. “From here, it’s easy to just travel to St. Augustine or Jekyll Island and spend the weekend on the beach.”

The Lilly family also visits several area churches since they haven’t joined a church yet.

“We just recently visited Union Cathedral and Christian Love Ministries,” Lilly said. “I noticed that there is a wide variety of diverse churches here in Valdosta.”

The family’s church home is in North Carolina.

When he’s not working or enjoying Valdosta’s recreation, Lilly keeps in contact with his family back home. His mother, two sisters and two nieces still live in North Carolina. His father passed away a few years ago from cancer.

Lilly said that he does not plan to have any more children, but he and his wife may explore the possibility of adoption one day.

“Right now, I’m just focusing on my daughter and spending quality time with my family,” he said. “That’s the main reason I work so hard. At work I have this saying, ‘We do what we have to do to do what we want to do.’”