+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                     Lydia DeCluette Obituary

Lydia McCowan DeCluette affectionately known as "Mama Lydia" was born September 16, 1919 in Oakwood, Texas. Lydia was the youngest of seven daughters born to the late P.J. McCowan and Caldonia Simmons McCowan.

While Lydia was yet an infant, the family moved to Palestine and settled in the community known as Old Town.  Their father was a Church of God in Christ Minister and they worshipped at the Grace Temple Church of God in Christ where the sisters often sang gospel songs.  Old Town is where she and her sisters spent most of their lives raising their children within blocks of each other.

Lydia married Ira Willie DeCluette Sr. on June 26, 1935 and to this union 11 children were born.

Lydia worked as a fry cook for many years to help support her family.   Lydia cared for her mother until her mother's death in 1975 at the age of 106.  Lydia later relocated to Dallas, Texas to be near her children.   After her daughter, Etta retired and moved to Corsicana, she took care of Mama Lydia.

In Corsicana, she united with the Lifeline Fellowship Family Church under the leadership of Pastor Ricky Walter.

On April 21, 2017, Mama Lydia's voice was silenced, her footsteps were stilled, and she entered into eternal rest.  Among those waiting to receive her: parents P.J. and Caldonia Simmon McCowan, husband Ira Willie DeCluette Sr., sisters Pauline Miller, Mary McCowan, Hanna Scott, Laura Smith, Callie Jane Martin, and Mattie Pearl Scott, sons Ira Willie DeCluette Jr., Edwin Peter DeCluette Sr. and George Felix DeCluette, daughter Alfreda Lavonne DeCluette and daughter-in-law Velma DeCluette.

Those left to cherish her many memories:  sons Ronald DeCluette (Annie Mae), Frederick Eugene DeCluette (Myrtie Z), Harold DeCluette, Charlie DeCluette, Clifford Earl DeCluette (Chrystal); daughters Etta Geneva Ferrell Hopkins (James), Barbara Ann Brisby; daughters-in-laws Alma Faye DeCluette, Constance DeCluette and Anna DeCluette; 39 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, 25 great-great grandchildren and a multitude of other relatives and friends.