April 30, 1965

Lillian Dees McDermott, social worker and community leader, died at her home in Little Rock (Pulaski County). Referred to as the “dean of social workers in Arkansas,” she was the first person in Arkansas to become a certified professional social worker. Throughout her lifetime, McDermott received many awards recognizing her accomplishments. She was named Little Rock’s most useful citizen in 1936. The Pilot Club named her woman of the year in 1942 for her work with members of the armed forces and their families. In 1961, McDermott was elected woman of the year in Greater Little Rock in the Arkansas Democrat’s annual poll.