"Madea u will be missed! RIP! Love Darla & family!"
In loving memory of
Etta Bianca Mccaskill
On Monday, June 19, 2017, Etta Bianca McCaskill Booth joined Church Triumphant and its heavenly choir.
Etta Bianca McCaskill Booth (Mother Dear/Madea) grew up as the youngest daughter of nine children in rural Mississippi. Her parents, Andrew and Syrenthia McCaskill, were share croppers who eventually managed to purchase a home with the help of their older daughter, Marie Lee. Etta spent most of her life in farming and education with her parents, husband and children.
A product of a mixed marriage in Mississippi, her life took many interesting twists and turns. Her older brother, Emmett Andrew McCaskill took her to live with his family when she was in her teens. She completed high school and two years at Campbell College in Mississippi. Amazingly, this fact alone, qualified her for a teaching job in the early 1940s.
Etta was always an advocate for education. Her children remember her always encouraging people in the community to go to school and learn a skill so they could make a living. They watched her go teach school in the mornings and then come home to take care of them in the afternoons. Etta taught in a small school where students were all in the same large room.
In 1937, during her teaching years, Etta married a very handsome school principal named Lemuel Douglass Booth. She continued to teach in between the births of her six daughters and only son. During the course of her marriage and life, she has inspired and nurtured a college president, a federal judge, three college professors, four dynamic business persons, five military officers, an ordained minister, four school teachers, an event planner, a psychologist, and various other professionals.
In addition to teaching school, Etta also learned to manage the farming that had to be done in order to supplement her family's income. She hired workers to prepare the land for planting and to help harvest the corn, cotton and other produce. She worked long hard days. If her children wanted to talk to her after school, they knew that they would find her doing some tasks on the farm whether it was working in the vegetable garden, picking cotton or "pulling" corn. They really knew what a "working mom" was.
After retiring from teaching, she continued to work in her garden, sell pecans and figs to the local merchants. Nine years ago, she moved to Arizona to live with her daughter and her family.
Etta Booth spent her days attending Phoenix Adult Day Care Center, Southminster Presbyterian Church, and other events with her daughter, Pearl, and her granddaughter Traci. She also enjoyed watching television with her son-in-law, Ray, visits from her son, Douglass and daughter-in-law Denise and family.
Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Mother's Day became even more special for her as she always counted on visits from her children and grandchildren. 102 years on this earth! What a blessing she was to all who knew and loved her!
Celebrating her life and legacy are her children Lillian Thames, Pearl Williams (Ray), Rosie Williams (Kirksey), Lemuel Douglass Booth Jr. (Denise), Mamie Marie Gnage (Dave), Carolyn Thompson (Carl) and Alesia Gail Booth.
Additionally, celebrating Mother Dear are her grandchildren in birth order Gwendolyn Oquendo (Walter), Terri Thames, Curtis Thames, Tammy Thames, Daphne Payton (Kenneth), Debra Thames, Michelle Webb, Traci Williams, Devlon Melton, Melanie Taylor (Tyrone), Melisha Williams, Kirksey Al Williams (Jennifer), Donald Williams, LaToya Lewis (Terrance), Kendra Foster, Charles Foster, Bianca George, Megan Murphy (Theo), Tyler Thompson (Tabitha), Lemuel Douglass Booth III, Morgan Williams, and Peyton Thomas.
Etta's legacy includes twenty-five great grandchildren: Gregory Oquendo, Stephanie Thames, Katherine Thames, Curtis Thames III, Foster Thames, Jade Payton, Brandi Payton, Bryant Payton, Alex Jones, Tyrone Taylor Jr., Mason Taylor, Mina Taylor, Maura Taylor, Mackenzie Stamps, Noah Stamps, Gabriella Williams, Xander Williams, Addison Williams, Emery Williams, Bryce Williams, Madeline Murphy, Harlow Booth, Summer Foster, Madison Lampley and Amanda Lewis.
Moreover, Etta will also be fondly remembered by nieces and nephews from the Anderson, Thomas, McCaskill, Boykins, Malloy and Booth families and a host of other relatives and friends.
Tributes
"Dear Pearl Kendra, my daughter, met you when she was care giving her father. She told me shs had met this lovely lady who was also a care giver for her Mom. She was impressed and inspired by your compassion. You gave her hope. My heart goes out to you and your family for the Heaven going of your Mom, God' Blessings soror Joyce"
"Marie, Joe Badgley sent me the obituary. I know it is with sadness and happiness that your mother has gone to the place that she evidently looked forward to going to. The obituary certainly tells a story of her greatness to you and others."
"Dr. Gnage, I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. She has truly left a remarkable legacy that will live on vibrantly through her blessed offspring. Luke 23:43 - And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."
"Marie, my sincerest condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers."
"Traci my sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of your grandmother. I thank God for the legacy she has left and the ripples of her life that will vibrate for generations to come."
"Dr. Gnage, My condolences to you and your family. May God continue to bless and strengthen you all during this difficult time. Sincerely, Pamela Walker"
"May your many fond memories of your beautiful Mother Dear comfort you! Underneath are the everlasting arms of our Father God. So wonderful that you will see her again in glory! Much love in Christ, Pastor Dean, Nicki, and Laura Beth 3 John 2"
"My deepest condolences to your family. I can only imagine the kind of life she had and the many experiences she lived through. My prayers are with you and all who say their farewells to her this side of heaven."
"Aunt Etta was a blessing to each of us. She has now entered into her heavenly home resting in the bosom of Jesus. She will forever be remembered in our hearts. Unfortunately Keith and I will be unable to attend the celebration of her life tomorrow, however, we will be praying for God's comfort and a celebration like no other for a blessed life. Keith & Tracy"
"Dr. Gnage, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Candace and I are praying for you and your family daily. I trust that God will richly bless you and give you peace. Van and Candace Smithey"
"Dr. Gnage, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May God comfort and strengthen you all. Tiffany Hunter and family"
"It was such an honor and privilege to meet this extraordinary woman on the occasion of her 102nd Birthday! My assistant, Sarah, and I enjoyed working with her granddaughter, Traci, to commemorate her birthday with House and Senate Resolutions and a flag-flying ceremony at the State Capitol. She was an American treasure who did so much to build our country and educate our children, and Arizona was very blessed by her presence. We extend sincere condolences to the family for your loss. Wishing you moments of joy in your memories of MotherDear, even as you so deeply grieve."
"The quilt of the life of a woman, woven and stitched together with such elegance and so clearly apparent - with an enormous amount of Love. From that Mississippi soil - An amazing story worth re-telling. To the family - my spirit and prayers are with you. My God bless each and everyone of you. Kurt Roger Cherry"
"Dear Marie, Kendra, Charlie and the entire Etta McCaskill family. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you at the transition of your mother, grandmother and great grsndnother. She has left behind a powerful legacy to emulate for all of us. May God Bless."
"Our prayers are with you as you celebrate the home going for our beloved Aunt Et (as we called her). Our father (F.T. McCaskill) youngest sister will be missed by all of us. Love and blessings, Jewell McCaskill and family."
"In this sorrowful time, we would like to extend to you our heartfelt condolences. May our Lord comfort you and your loved ones."
"My sincere condolences to the Booth family. She was beautiful with the class and grace of a queen. She was better known as Madea to everyone. She will be missed. I will especially miss her beautiful Sunday morning voice as she hummed along with the church choir. May God's peace and blessings be with the family forever. Cecil and Wilma Patterson"