Macel Obelene Randall
Funeral services for Macel Obelene Randall, 85 of Dubach, will be held 11 a.m., Friday, July 30, 2021, at Rock Corner Baptist Church in Dubach with Rev. Garry Massey officiating.
Burial will follow in Rock Corner Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston. On July 22, 2021, Obelene Randall met her Jesus face-to-face and was reunited with her beloved husband of 61 years, Stephen Randall; parents, Allie Frank Bryan and Jessie Ophelia Bryan; grandson, James Odie Lilley; brother, Rudy Bryan and a host of family and friends.
What a reunion at the gates of Heaven as Jesus welcomed her home.
Obelene was born on July 11, 1936, to Allie Frank and Jessie Ophelia Bryan in Ashley County, Ark. She and her husband, Steve, were married on July 30, 1955, in Mississippi. They made many moves over the years, first to Coos Bay, Oregon, and then to Bastrop, and then they moved to Ruston, where Obelene was employed by Ruston State Bank for many years.
She then started working for Willamette Industries as a secretary at Duraflake South in Simsboro. She was then transferred to the corporate office as a receptionist, working her way up to Clerical Office Supervisor. While working at Willamette, Obelene and Steve bought a piece of property on Lake Claiborne and built their favorite home, where they made many wonderful memories with family and friends.
They lived there until Obelene retired. They then sold everything, bought a motor home and began traveling. They took several epic trips with Brenda and Sherwood traveling to California and Georgia. Their favorite place to fish was Lake Chicot in Arkansas. This was one of the places they spent a lot of time when they were young.
After being diagnosed with Lupus, Obelene and Steve made their home in Pea Ridge. Obelene had many favorite past times and hobbies. She loved spending time with family and friends, singing, traveling, gardening and sewing. She loved going to baseball and softball games, along with choir concerts, to watch the grandkids, hosting family reunions at the Lake Claiborne home and spending part of the winter months in south Florida with Brenda and her family.
Obelene also liked attending her high school reunions, where she got to spend time with dear lifetime friends. One of the things Obelene was most passionate about was being Willamette Industries’ Chairperson for the annual March of Dimes Walk-a-thon.
She loved to cook as well. One of her most famous dishes was her pecan pie, not to be outdone by her old fashion strawberry short cake. After much encouragement from her son-in-law, Gary Lilley, she entered her pecan pie in the Community Trust Bank cooking contest: she won first prize.
Ever after, her pie was lovingly called her “blue ribbon pecan pie.”
Mom spent the last five years at Princeton Place, being cared for by the most amazing, loving and compassionate caregivers. They quickly became our extended family. We would also like to thank Professional Hospice for their care. Words are inadequate to express how forever grateful we are for each of them, and for all they did for mom, dad and us. We love them all so much.
Also, for family and friends that have helped us during this time, we are forever grateful.
Obelene is survived by her daughters, Brenda Brazzel (Sherwood) of Kingston, Tenn., and Donna Lilley (Gary) of Dubach; grandson, Randall Lilley of Choudrant, and Christopher Brazzel of Kingston, Tenn.; granddaughters, Stephanie Brazzel of Kingston, Tenn., and Jessica Lilley Oliver (Grant) of Shreveport; brother, Allie J.W. Bryan of West Monroe; sister Jo Chism of Sherwood, Ark.; great-grandchildren, Hunter Caskey, Emma Brazzel, Delanie Brazzel, Jackson Brazzel, Leo Oliver and Odie Ella Oliver.
Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Bryan, Mitch Chism, Scot Chism, Kyle Bryan, Clay Bryan, Randall Lilley and Christopher Brazzel.
Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 9-11 a.m. at the church. To leave a memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.
