Mrs. Lillie Mae Sockwell, in her 97th year, went to be with the Lord on Friday morning, May 27, 2016 from Haskell, Oklahoma.

On Saturday, February 22, 1919, to Samuel "Sam" B. Brandon and Lucile (Pattillo) Brandon in Carthage, Arkansas, was born a beautiful flower-a cute little baby girl-they named her, "Lillie Mae Brandon" (aka Pattillo). An only child, Lillie was raised by her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary Pattillo who loved her tremendously, and taught her important life skills. Lillie was asked, and gave, the Valedictorian speech to her Carthage Public School class.

During her matrimony to Esba "Tip" Sockwell (who preceded her in death) were born Gladys Reva Ann Sockwell, and Thomas Nathaniel Sockwell of Carthage, Arkansas. Later, to the union with Isaac McCree, were born Ethel Lucille "Sweetie" McCree, Lawrence Isaac "Culligan-Man" McCree, and Beverly Joyce McCree of Detroit, Michigan.

At age 21, Lillie moved from Arkansas to Detroit, MI, in search of employment. She was a dedicated employee of a Detroit Plant, Greyhound Bus Lines, First Federal Bank, and other part-time jobs to support her family, and avoid applying and receiving welfare. Dad was a self-taught pro-Plumber. At age 95, in her declining years, she relocated to Haskell, OK, and affectionately resided with her youngest daughter and son-in-love, Floyd. The miracle here is that, 23 years prior, he had designed and built their custom home with her in mind.

From infancy, Lillie was regularly taken to Toones Chapel by her grandparents who also attended surrounding Churches morning, noon, and night. As an adult, if she didn't have to work, she intermittently enjoyed worship services at Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit under the Pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Martin. She had been sprinkled as a child, then on Sunday, May 13, 2015 (Mother's Day) she was immersed in baptism at her home church, First Baptist Church-South, Beggs, OK, under the Pastorate of Rev. Dr. Maurice M. Williams (Marsha L.), where she faithfully attended until her illness in February 2016. The congregants loved her, and she loved them all.

An advid reader, she was a whiz in answering TV game show questions, solving cross-word puzzles, playing dominos; enjoyed veggie gardening, TV wild-life, baseball, keeping up with world events, etc. Many who knew her, including physicians, loved, admired and respected her. Our little neighborhood friends fondly called her Ma, as well as adult neighbors who adopted her as like-a-Mother to them. We love you "Ma", and will remember your words of wisdom like: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. You reap what you sow. God don't like ugly. What goes around comes around. Love your enemies. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything.

With her massive heart of continual love, Ma boarded her scheduled flight from this physical life on May 27, 2016, like Daddy did on May 27, 2004. Dad was 87, Ma was 97. Dad was born January 22, 1917. Ma was born February 22, 1919; their son was born February 22, 1952. Ma birthed her last child on a 3-day holiday, she transitioned on a 3-day holiday. Ooh yes-there's more!

Prior to Lillie's sleep, went her paternal grandparents; several paternal siblings; her maternal great grandparents: Thomas "Tom" Sr. & Fannie (Smith) Pattillo; her maternal grandparents: Thomas "Tom" Jr. & Mary Green-Pattillo; parents, Samuel "Sam" B. and Lucile (Pattillo) Brandon-Hooks; step-father, Daddy Hooks; Esba "Tip" Sockwell; Isaac McCree; the soul of her miscarried baby (who awaited her); daughter, Gladys Reva Ann (Sockwell) Thomas; son, Thomas "Tom/Lolly" Nathaniel Sockwell; son, Lawrence Isaac McCree, Sr. (her birthday gift); son-in-love, Vanderbilt "Boosie" Thomas; a host of others.

She leaves cherished memories to: Two daughters: Ethel Lucille (McCree) Mattox of Detroit, MI; and Beverly Joyce (McCree) (Floyd Wayne, Sr.) Williams of Haskell, OK. Ten grands: Sherie Vanette Thomas; Norbert Zachery (Sockwell) Fields; Lisa Joyce Mattox; Anita Lynn (McCree) (Jeffery) Beetham; Angela Lynette McCree-Jones; Lawrence Isaac McCree, Jr.; Joanne Brown; Cora (Williams) (LeRoy) Miller; Floyd Williams, II; Michael Hutson. Nine great grands: Nicole Sheree Thomas; Bryan Vanderbilt Thomas; Alicia (McCree) (Larry, II) Justice; Amethyst McCree; Amanda McCree; Azari Jones; Aleris Jones; Dale Thomas Ratcliff; Greyson Miller. One great-great grand: Larry Justice, III. Sons/Daughters-in-love: Joanne Sockwell; Eddie "Spin" Jones; Artis Manley; Fannie Mae Deason-Fields; Brady & Dorothy Battle; etc.

A Graveside ceremony will be shared on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. in the Toones Chapel Cemetery at Tulip, Arkansas. Reverend Floyd Williams will officiate.

Burial will follow the ceremony.