Lillian Sewell

Lillian Merie McDade Sewell was born September 25, 1953, to the parentage of Frank James McDade and Bula Mae Richardson McDade. Lillian who was affectionately nicknamed “Punkin” was the second born child of five children.

As a child, Lillian enjoyed being in the kitchen with her mother, and there she developed a love of cooking, especially baking. Lillian often spoke of her childhood and Sunday family rides to the country and summers spent with relatives in Corsicana, Texas and noted that “we did not have much, but we had each other.”

Lillian received early education from J.N. Jenkins Elementary School, middle school education from G.W. Carver, and graduated from A.J Moore High School in 1972. In the 10th grade she met Henry Lee Sewell, Jr. They were high school sweethearts who joined in holy matrimony on October 14, 1972. Their union was blessed with three children, Ceskina Shernell, Henry Lee III “Trey” and Marquist LaMarr. Lillian continued her education at McLennan Community College where she received a nursing certificate.

Lillian professed her faith in God at an early age at Union Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. H.K. King. At Living Word Church of God in Christ (formerly Dunbar Street Church of God in Christ), Lillian was a faithful and active member of the Senior Usher Board serving as President, organizing the Junior Usher Board, member of hospitality auxiliary, Meals on Wheels volunteer, was a prayer team member, a Deaconess and was a licensed evangelist missionary. After decades of membership at Living Word Church of God in Christ, she and her family united with Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church where she was a faithful member. At Greater Mount Olive, Lillian participated in the Mission auxiliary and served as a Deaconess until her health declined.

Lillian was employed at Wolfe Manufacturing followed by The Regis Nursing Home where she worked in the kitchen prepping salads and serving food on the serving line. Later she worked with elderly patients through Texas Home Health, Inc. She was always willing to work with the elderly, check on the sick, and shut-in and had the heart to help single mothers – truly wanting to help someone as she passed along.

Lillian was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Frank James and Bula Mae McDade, and sisters, Tenia Diane McDade Smith and Alice Blanche McDade Trotter.

Lillian leaves to cherish her precious memory: her husband of 49 years, Henry Lee Sewell Jr. of Waco, Texas; daughter, Ceskina Shernell Sewell Jackson (William) of DeSoto, Texas; sons, Henry Lee Sewell III (Devin) of Arlington, Texas and Marquist LaMarr Sewell (Katherine) of Waco, Texas; sister, Frankie Mae McDade Lewis (Rev. Allen Sr.) of Houston, Texas; brother, Clarence J. McDade of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Tabitha Sewell Mallory (Rodney) of Hammond, Louisiana; brother-in-law, Patrick Sewell (Sheanikie) of Forney, Texas; spiritual mother, Rosetta M. Stone; devoted longtime friends, Katherine Anderson, Flossie Jean Collins, and Jonna Decuire; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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