ERMA L. MEEKS

Mrs. Erma Lean Meeks was born on August 6, 1939 in Grenada, Mississippi to James Henry Elliott Sr and Edna Gause Elliott. She was the third oldest child of 9 children born to this union. Five (5) siblings preceded her in death; Bobbie Dell Elliott-Conely, Josie Mae Elliott-Melton (Doll), James Henry Elliott, Jr (Bull), Dora Mae Elliott-Willis-Stewart, Larry Darnell Elliott.

Erma Meeks accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young girl at Bellflower Baptist Church in Grenada, Mississippi.

It was said by her family that “Lean” as she was affectionately called, as a child had a kind, humble and tender spirit for others. This spirit continually drew people to her. Those drawn to her stayed in her life for a lifetime. She was a gr eat listener and believed that less talk sharpened listening skills. She had a special relationship with her parents and was taught at an early age to value family, legacy and roots.

She married at a young age to James Willie Meeks Sr of whom preceded her in death. He was in the United States Air Force and from Charleston, Mississippi. To this union were born six (6) children one of which preceded her in death (Tina Anna Marie Meeks-Irving). She walked happily in her created role of wife and mother which afforded her favor from the Lord.

She moved to Chicago, Ill where the first two of her children were born at Great Lakes Naval Station. Then on to Sioux St Marie, Michigan where two more were born. On to Charleston, Mississippi for the birth of one more and then to San Antonio, Texas for the last one born at BAMC.

She found much pleasure in being a wife and mother raising all six (6) of her children with examples of peacefulness, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-control/temperance, tenderness, humility but most importantly love.

She was so overjoyed at becoming a grandmother and then onto great grandma. She was grandmother to 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She took pleasure in having them all around her. She took great pride in raising Jordan, her great grandson as her child. She loved attending his basketball games and kept up with his school work. She taught him respect, kindness, gentleness which is a daily walk for him now. She was so proud of him.

She loved family gatherings and had the southern hospitality that was welcoming toall and she would feed everyone. Hot banana pudding and caramel cake were her specialty. Making 20 sweet potato pies for the holidays was a tradition. She loved to see people eating and enjoying themselves.

She had the favor of the Lord upon her entire life. She trusted the Lord in everything and always said and believed that “Everything will fall into place”. The Lord blessed her with a career outside of the home that allowed her to operate in accordance with Proverbs 31 woman. She retired from Petrie Corporation/Stuarts Department Store at 30 years as a Display Supervisor and Sears Department Store at 10 years as an Associate in Sales. In all of her years of working, she still managed her home and family.

She was an affirmer. She always knew who needed to be affirmed and she took pleasure in doing it. She was a woman of faith, grace, dignity, compassion who esteemed others and made them understand that they mattered. She was excited about the smallest things and appreciated everything. She never took anything for granted and was thankful and grateful for everything. She was a friend to whoever needed a friend and a mother to the motherless. She loved her family and friends. She believed in family taking care of one another and caring for others. She always used to say treat people right and show love to each other.

On December 19, 2021 God received her into His presence and clothed her with his righteousness. She left to cherish her memory her 5 children, Erma Meeks Brown (Richard), Patricia Meeks Anderson (Charles), Regina Meeks Smith, James Willie Meeks, Jr (Shirlyn), Eva Meeks Taylor. 14 Grandchildren, Dante Maurice Meeks (Krista), Charles Ezell Meeks, April T. McAfee, Tamara Hall Skaggs (Thomas), Shante Smith Salahuddin (Khalid), Aaron David Irving, Quincy Meeks Taylor, Brandon Alexander Hall (Victoria), James Jamar Taylor, Jasmine Noel Irving, Brittney Chantile Taylor, Tywan Jermaine Meeks, Amarri Xavier Anderson. 14 Great Grandchildren, Dante Maurice Meeks-Martinez, Jalen Irving, Elijah Lee Montgomery, Leila Irving, Jordan David Irving, Taurus Montgomery Jr., Lena Irving, Lemise Irving, Deovean Robinson, Londyn Favor Morris, Alexander Isaiah Hall, Connor Patrick Skaggs. Sister, Ethel Lee Kent, Brothers, Hyram Elliott, Sr and Rayford Elliott (Cassaundra). Close and dear friends, Frank Daniels, Barbara Williams, Connie Praegitzer, Jean Williams, Allee Wallace. God Sons, Thomas Bright, Kenneth Lowe, Herbert Cobb Jr. God Daughters, Velma Love, Rasyne Joyner, Shirley Ann Morris, Debra Coleman-Cobb. A host of loving nieces and nephews and numerous close and dear friends.

Loved ones that preceded her in death: Tina Meeks Irving, Lamar Thomas SteenMeeks, Darren Meeks, Parents, James Henry and Edna Gause Elliott. Sisters, Bobbie Elliott Conley, Josie Mae Elliott-Melton (Doll), Dora Elliott Willis-Stewart. Brothers, James Henry Elliott Jr (Bull) and Larry Darnell Elliott

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of ERMA L. MEEKS, please visit our floral store.