Lillian Catherine Jones was born August 16, 1906 to Thomas Henry Jones, a Machinist, and Anna May Simms, a nurse, of Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania. Her siblings were (Elsie) Gertrude, (Mary) Mildred, Winifred, Verna, Dorothy Fay and Anna Marie.

Lillian married William H. Emery on April 24, 1928 in Pittsburgh. They had a son, Robert, and a daughter, Marjorie.

Lillian died October 16, 1996 and her husband on May 30, 1978. They are buried at South Side Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA.