Willie Mae Lambert Muckleroy, 101, was born November 30, 1907, in Swift, Texas, to Evalina Pleasant and John Franklin Lambert, and passed away on Friday, February 20, 2009, at her home in Silsbee, Texas.
A beauty, known as the Belle of Swift, she eloped on her 16th birthday and spent 80 years with her husband, Albert 'Sye' Muckleroy, who passed away December 22, 2003, at the age of 98.
Willie and her husband moved from Nacogdoches to Baytown, Texas, in the 1920's where he worked at Exxon (Humble Oil & Refining Co.) and where they reared their four children, Hurshel, Herbert, Robbie, and Fairy Nell (Kelly) Muckleroy.
Willie provided a wonderful home for her children in Cedar Bayou and Baytown, Texas, and was supportive in school activities, especially as 'Room Mother' for her daughter's elementary school days. She sewed, cooked three hot meals a day, milked a cow, tended her vegetable and flower gardens, sold milk and butter, helped feed the livestock, and did a multitude of chores with an unbelievable energy. She was sweet, and her warm kitchen and dining room were the heart of her home where friends and family gathered for entertaining stories and good home cooking. She always insisted that visitors eat whether it was a meal or coffee and dessert. People other than the family often sat at the dinner table because of her hospitality and friendship. Animals adored her and flowers flourished.
In later years, she and her husband cleared wooded land on Turtle Bayou near Anahuac, Texas, on IH-10, and created a fishing resort and RV Park. They retired only after Albert was 80 years old and she was 78, and moved to Fred, Texas, for a few years. Later, they moved to Silsbee, Texas, to be near family members.
Willie is preceded in death by her husband, Albert; son, Hurshel Albert Muckleroy; parents, 'Evie' and Frank Lambert; siblings, Bernice Owens, L. D. Lambert, Gloria Jean Anthony, Pauline Lambert, and baby Clyde.
She is survived by her children, Herbert Charles Muckleroy and wife Mary K. of Silsbee; Robbie Morris Muckleroy and wife Joyce of Harper; and Fairy Nell (Kelly) Muckleroy Hamilton of Silsbee; her grandchildren, Donna Marie Myers of Waco; Michael Kent Muckleroy of San Antonio; Mark Muckleroy and Don Charles Muckleroy of Silsbee; great-grandchildren, Robin Hartberg, Sam Alexander, David Alexander, Danielle Muckleroy, Lauren Muckleroy, Matthew Muckleroy, and David Muckleroy; great-great grandchildren, twins Hunter and Caroline Hartberg.
The family is grateful for Willie's special and gifted friends, Dorothy Jolly and Lillian Townsend, and we thank caregivers Sabra Day, LVN, and Texas Home Health.
A gathering of family and friends will be at Farmers Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2009. Graveside Service will be held at Resthaven Cemetery in Silsbee at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 23, 2009.
