Mattie Lorene Hardeman was born on April 2, 1924, in Marland, OK. She was the fourth of thirteen children born to Amos and Stella Brown Sr. She was lovingly known by her family and friends as "Tot." She was preceeded in death by her parents, grandparents, 2 sons, 6 brothers, 1 sister, 4 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Lorene, as she became known, attended schools in Marland and Wetumka, OK

Lorene met and married Vernon James Hardeman in 1941 and was blessed with 9 children. Lorene was lovingly known as "Tot" by her family and friends. She loved life. She enjoyed working in her yard, planting her garden, and growing flowers. Everyone that came by to visit always received a "starter plant." She loved cooking big family meals and always kept "The Big House" open for her family (especially the grandchildren). Lorene was a very giving person, at times, she gave so much that she went without. She always watched out for the children on her block and they respected and loved her. There were times when you would see 15-20 children playing in her yard.

Lorene was escorted from this life to Glory on Sunday, January 15, 2006, around 1:30 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK. Her transition was peaceful as she did not complain but she was ready to go "Home."

Mrs. Hardeman leaves to cherish her memory, 2 son, Leslie Hardeman (Dorothy) Wichita, KS, Johnny Hardeman (Aletha),Oklahoma City Area, 5 daughters, Mary Hardridge, Evelyn Epperson (Charley) and Loretta Givens (Vernon), Tulsa, OK, Brenda Frazier and Linda Hall of Muskogee, OK. Four sisters, Ella Mae Johns, Marie Jamerson and Essie Dunn (Robert) all of Muskogee, OK, Berniece Beavers, California, 1 brother, Howard Brown (Gladys) Lawton, OK, 27 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren, 3 special sister-in-laws, Lucille Brown, Velma Brown and Helen Brown and a host of nieces , nephews and friends. Lorene also leaves to cherish, Alethia Hawkins, Mary Hardeman, Joyce Hardeman, Patricia Hardeman, Melba Ryan- Hardeman and Ms. Fannie Yaffe whom she worked for 39 years.

The celebration of her life will be on Saturday afternoon, January 21, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary of the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 701 Altamont. The Pastor, Reverend Vanzelen G. Brown will officiate. The Christian Committal will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. You may visit Mrs. Hardeman, as she slumbers at the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., on Friday from 12 Noon until 7 PM in Muskogee.