The Secret Life of Bees

Lily Melissa Owens is born

Jul 4, 1950

Lily is an only child. Her mother is Deborah Fontanel, and her father is Terrance Ray Owens.

The Secret Life of Bees

Period: Jul 4, 1950 to Jul 6, 1964

Deborah Fontanel is accidentaly killed

Dec 3, 1954

Lily accidentaly kills her mother when a gun prematurely goes off.

Lily finds her mother's belongings

Jul 1, 1964

While searching in the attic, she finds some belongings from her mother. A pair of white cotton gloves, a picture of Black Mary, and a photograph of her mom.

Civil Rights Act Passed

Jul 2, 1964

Civil Rights Act

Rosaleen get arrested

Jul 3, 1964

Rosaleen Diase gets arrested after getting into a fight with two racist white men. This happens while she is on her way to vote.

Lily breaks Rosaleen out of custody

Jul 3, 1964

Lily goes into the hospital Rosaleen is being treated at, and breaks her out through fooling the cops.

Lily and Rosaleen leave T-Ray

Jul 3, 1964

After breaking Rosaleen free from custody, they hitchhike to Turbon.

Rosaleen gets rejected by the church

Jul 3, 1964

While resting at a white church, the pastor subtly hints that they should leave, since Rosaleen is black. On the way out she steals 2 fans.

Lily steals from a convienience store

Jul 4, 1964

Lily steals Red Rose Snuff for Rosaleen from a convienience store because Rosaleen requested it.

Lily's birthday

Jul 4, 1964

Lily's birthday is important because she always thinks the fireworks are for her, since T-Ray has never given her a proper birthday. It really shows how little he cares for her.