Honoring the Legacy of Lillian Congdon
Lillian “Lil” Congdon was a woman ahead of her time. Born Lillian Herbert in 1909 on a small farm near Richmond, Virginia, she was one of five children. When her father died in 1919, Lillian began working to support her family. At the age of 16, she left home to take a job as a telephone operator, quickly rising to the position of supervisor. It was during this time that she met her husband, Earl Congdon Sr., at a church dinner, and the pair married a year later.
But Lillian’s story is not one that ends in a marriage. No, that was only the start of this five-foot-tall woman’s story of becoming a business giant. In 1934, following several years of setbacks that many American families faced in this time, Lillian shared with her husband that she had quietly and wisely saved $1,700 from her job as a telephone operator. Her proposed investment in a straight-body truck would lead to the founding of Old Dominion Freight Line. Lillian was raising a family, taking orders for the trucking business, and even serving as the company’s alternative driver.
As the Richmond News Leader would describe her, this “slip of a thing, only 100 pounds and little more than 5 feet tall,” used her keen business sense and perseverance to lay the foundation for what would become a billion-dollar business and leader in the world of transportation and logistics.
While Lillian is remembered by her family as often being on the quieter side, she had no issue speaking up when it came to business decisions. When Earl Sr. considered selling the company in 1946, it was Lillian's decisive refusal that kept Old Dominion in the family's hands.
Four years later after Earl Sr.’s unfortunate passing, it was Lillian who made the decision to keep the company family-owned and operated, leading it with the help of her sons. She managed the company as its president until 1975, demonstrating leadership and vision that have guided the family's business and laid the foundation for our philanthropic legacy.
The story of Lillian’s life is a testament to resilience and the power of smart, strategic thinking. As her grandson and President of the Congdon Family Foundation board, David Congdon, reflects, “Absent her many business decisions in all the early years, the course of history for Old Dominion Freight Line would be very different.”
Today, Lil’s legacy is honored daily through the decisions made both at Old Dominion Freight Line and Congdon Family Foundation. Not to mention, every cup of energizing coffee served at Lil’s Coffee Bar in Congdon Yards reminds our community of her tremendous energy for impact.
Lil’s influence extends far beyond her lifetime. Her grandchildren remember her as a warm, nurturing presence, deeply rooted in family and tradition, and her legacy continues to inspire and guide the Congdon family and our foundation's philanthropic commitment today. From a woman who refused to let any obstacle impede her success, we aim to extend the same hope to our community – by promoting improved quality of life by reducing barriers to opportunity. We have no doubt it’s what Lil would have done too.
"When you’re helped out,
it inspires you to help others."
EMILY CAROTHERS, Earl and Kitty Congdon Old Dominion Freight Line Scholarship Recipient
"Compassion is taking action. It’s not being satisfied with the status quo."
Carl Vierling, Greater High Point Food Alliance
Executive Director
"We’re creating our own ecosystem that is poised to turn our home into the “high point” of our state once more."
Rachel Collins, Business High Point
CEO
"All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God."
Deuteronomy 16:17
"Our board is deeply involved in High Point. Their commitment to the city is evident in their desire for the foundation to form real partnerships with our grant recipients, so that we can support them to grow their impact."
Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser,
Chief Impact Officer