Lula Brown Shoate was born on June 3, 1917, and departed this life at the age of 101 on October 15, 2018.
She was the younger of two daughters born to Alonzo Brown and Annie Clayton Brown of Fort Coffee, Oklahoma.
She accepted Christ and a very early age and served wherever needed.
She was united in marriage to Levester Shoate and to this union was born ten children. She whole heartily accepted one step-son.
Lula, first and foremost, loved being a farmer’s wife and mother. She took great joy in asking people how many children they had and then she would proudly say, “I have ten children”. She loved children.
Mama Lula was devoted to her family but she was also a loving servant to anyone who stepped through her door in need. She was known to prepare colossal meals with vegetables from her large garden and meats from the smokehouse. She served these homegrown meals to political leaders, the motor biking clubs, VISTA workers, college friends, and extended community friends and family. Front porch chats she had with anyone passing by where among the memories shared by many. She willingly attended to the physical needs of many who rehabilitated in her home.
The home she and her husband Levester, built was also a haven for the many grandchildren who spent countless summers on the farm. Lula loved the Lord and loved being His servant. She sang for a short time with her cousins in the Heavenly Bound Travelers group. She was choir director for the children, junior, and senior choirs. She helped in organizing special programs for the children for Easter and Christmas.
Lula worked in the church kitchen and loved volunteering at the Fort Coffee senior citizen center. Visiting, crafting, fishing, and quilting alongside her lifelong friends, Melinda Scott, Evelyn Steele, Helen Massey, Dorothy Hayes, and Henryetta McKesson were among her favorite past times.
Lula was employed as a housekeeper and later worked in the field for Planned Parenthood of Leflore County. Although she later lived in Norman, Oklahoma, Mt. Triumph Baptist Church remind her church home where she faithfully paid her yearly tithes and dues for the upkeep of the graveside properties. She spoke fondly of the church leaders and pastors who presided over their flock.
Lula was preceded in death by her husband, Levester, two sons, Kenneth Shoate and Roderick Shoate, one daughter, Rebecca Walker, and four Grandchildren.
She leaves to cherish her memory: Sons, LJ (Kay) of Oklahoma City, OK, Harvey (Tinna) of Spiro, Oklahoma, Myron of Oklahoma City, OK, stepson, Billy Cutchlow (Carol) of Kansas City, Missouri, and one special nephew Joseph Jones (Barbara) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Daughters: Virginia McCurtain of Spiro, Oklahoma, Paulette Sims of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Yvonne Henderson of Kansas City, MO, Charolette Gordon (John) of Norman, OK. Lula will also be fondly remembered by 35 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, and 41 great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 am Monday, October 22, 2018 at Victory Worship Center in Spiro, Oklahoma.
Burial will follow at Fort Coffee Cemetery in Fort Coffee, Oklahoma under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Spiro, Oklahoma.
Family will visit with friends 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm Sunday at Mallory-Martin Funeral Home.
To sign Ms. Shoate’s online guest book, please visit www.mallorymartinfuneralhome.com