She was a local preacher for the church and conducted missions over a wide area of the West Country.
It was when conducting a mission in South Wales that she met her future husband and fellow writer James Allen, of Ilfracombe.
In home life, she was thoroughly domesticated, an excellent cook and enjoyed the running and work of the house.
After her husband's death in 1912, Lily continued the publication of his magazine, "The Epoch", until failing sight forced her to give it up.
She wrote several books, mainly on the lines of the power of thought and character building, but these never made the same impact on the public as those of James Allen.