Services
Mrs. Tonya R. Brookshire, funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at United M. B. Church 18085 Old Hwy 80, Edward, MS at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be Friday, December 8, 2017 from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Willis and Sons Funeral Home 5235 Robinson Road Ext., Jackson MS. Interment at Little Zion Cemetery, Edward, MS.
Obituary
Her Arrival
On Saturday, January 7, 1963, God called into existence, one delicate and, exquisitely beautiful baby girl given the name Tanya Renae Bookshire and as written, she was fearfully and wonderfully made. Born to the late Standford "Chico" and Nina Faye Smothers Bookshire in Edwards, Mississippi.
When She Met the Lord
It was in her youth that she made up her mind and decided to give her life to Christ at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. M.K. Nelson. She started attending United Missionary Baptist Church with her brother and his family and she decided to make United Missionary Baptist Church her spiritual home under the leadership of Pastor Elzie O'Neal.
Her Love
Tanya married the love of her life Jessie West Sr. on March 13, 2015 and the two were inseparable.
The Matriarch
"Lucy", as we affectionately called her, maintained her independence for as long as she could. She never complained and was always cheerful. God in His infinite wisdom allowed her to exemplify His Son through her unselfish giving. Her love was not in idle words of platitude. Hers was a love expressed in actions; she was the embodiment of God's Word. Her love spoke the voice of Paul that says "love bears all things, believe all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails." Matthew 5:9 says "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." Tanya was a peacemaker and a peacekeeper, she knew how to reconcile and restore family with good food. She would dice, blend and stir together homemade meals for every occasion and Sunday Dinner. Tanya was the real Big Mama that created for the soul.
One to Remember
In the last few weeks, in spite of her fighting spirit, Tanya's health began to fail. On Monday, December 4th, Tanya entered into the Heavenly Kingdom at her home surrounded by her family and friends. Lucy, you fought a good fight, the battle is over and the Master has called you to come to the Eternal Home He has prepared for all of us.
Tanya leaves to mourn her death, celebrate her home going and cherish her fond memories: her loving and devoted husband Jessie West Sr. of Raymond, Mississippi; her children: Angela Brookshire (Devon) Williams of Brandon, Mississippi, Roy (Keyona) Brookshire, Kevin Brookshire, Tameka (Meko) Brookshire all of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Desmond Brookshire her nephew whom she help reared of Edwards, Mississippi; her siblings, Reginald (Alice) Smothers of D'Iberville, Mississippi, Theresa B. Billups of Memphis Tennessee, Terri L. Brookshire of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kenneth D. (Tina) Brookshire Sr., Sharon Brookshire and Patrick (Christine) Brookshire all of Edwards, Mississippi; 16 grandchildren; her baby :Prince"; her extended family, Jessie (Angel) West Jr., Alfonso Flora West McKenzie and Alvin Elton West; her Sunday Dinner Crew Erica, Travetta and Rhonda Andrews all of Jackson, Mississippi and Willie James Bishop of Utica, Mississippi; a host of very special nieces, nephews and cousins, the Knox, Andrews, Stamps, Campbell, Lloyd, Thomas, Carroll, and Allen Families.
On Saturday, January 7, 1963, God called into existence, one delicate and, exquisitely beautiful baby girl given the name Tanya Renae Bookshire and as written, she was fearfully and wonderfully made. Born to the late Standford "Chico" and Nina Faye Smothers Bookshire in Edwards, Mississippi.
When She Met the Lord
It was in her youth that she made up her mind and decided to give her life to Christ at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. M.K. Nelson. She started attending United Missionary Baptist Church with her brother and his family and she decided to make United Missionary Baptist Church her spiritual home under the leadership of Pastor Elzie O'Neal.
Her Love
Tanya married the love of her life Jessie West Sr. on March 13, 2015 and the two were inseparable.
The Matriarch
"Lucy", as we affectionately called her, maintained her independence for as long as she could. She never complained and was always cheerful. God in His infinite wisdom allowed her to exemplify His Son through her unselfish giving. Her love was not in idle words of platitude. Hers was a love expressed in actions; she was the embodiment of God's Word. Her love spoke the voice of Paul that says "love bears all things, believe all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails." Matthew 5:9 says "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." Tanya was a peacemaker and a peacekeeper, she knew how to reconcile and restore family with good food. She would dice, blend and stir together homemade meals for every occasion and Sunday Dinner. Tanya was the real Big Mama that created for the soul.
One to Remember
In the last few weeks, in spite of her fighting spirit, Tanya's health began to fail. On Monday, December 4th, Tanya entered into the Heavenly Kingdom at her home surrounded by her family and friends. Lucy, you fought a good fight, the battle is over and the Master has called you to come to the Eternal Home He has prepared for all of us.
Tanya leaves to mourn her death, celebrate her home going and cherish her fond memories: her loving and devoted husband Jessie West Sr. of Raymond, Mississippi; her children: Angela Brookshire (Devon) Williams of Brandon, Mississippi, Roy (Keyona) Brookshire, Kevin Brookshire, Tameka (Meko) Brookshire all of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Desmond Brookshire her nephew whom she help reared of Edwards, Mississippi; her siblings, Reginald (Alice) Smothers of D'Iberville, Mississippi, Theresa B. Billups of Memphis Tennessee, Terri L. Brookshire of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kenneth D. (Tina) Brookshire Sr., Sharon Brookshire and Patrick (Christine) Brookshire all of Edwards, Mississippi; 16 grandchildren; her baby :Prince"; her extended family, Jessie (Angel) West Jr., Alfonso Flora West McKenzie and Alvin Elton West; her Sunday Dinner Crew Erica, Travetta and Rhonda Andrews all of Jackson, Mississippi and Willie James Bishop of Utica, Mississippi; a host of very special nieces, nephews and cousins, the Knox, Andrews, Stamps, Campbell, Lloyd, Thomas, Carroll, and Allen Families.
