Mary Belle Poe Brockett (90) of Effingham

Mary Belle Poe Brockett, 90, affectionately known as Babe, died on Sunday, February 6, 2022.

She was born on May 26, 1931, to parents William Everett Poe and Mary Ellen Workman Poe. She was raised on their farm southwest of Elliottstown, Illinois with her brother, Warren and sister, Eleanor. Mary was a graduate of Effingham High School, where she was a good student and played on the basketball team. After a whirlwind courtship and elopement, Mary was wed to Jim Burket Brockett of Effingham in 1948. They lived most of their 73 years of married life in Illinois and Georgia while raising four daughters. Mary was a devoted wife, a loving example as a mother, and a hard worker throughout her life. She has fed thousands of people through her work at the Dixie Creme Donut Shop, Reabans Drive-In, and elementary school cafeterias in DeKalb County Georgia and Richland County Illinois. She always had her eye on those children as they came through the lunch line and sometimes had a special helping for those she called "her little fellers." When health permitted, Mary enjoyed travel anywhere in the United States. From dabbling in a stream in the Blue Ridge Mountains, experiencing the vistas of the west, and discovering treasures in the surf of a beach, she relished any opportunity to wander and explore. Reading was a lifelong hobby and as her health declined, reading continued to bring her pleasure. Mary also experienced challenges in her life. Her strength of character, faith in God, and willingness to persevere helped her meet those challenges while also teaching those same values to her daughters.

Mary is remembered with love by her husband, Jim of Effingham, daughters Mary Kathyrn (Kathy) Shirley (George) of Dieterich, Debra Hall of Rockmart, GA, Jerry Hosking of Carrboro, NC, and Peggy Heal (Loren) of Neoga, 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren, and her sister, Eleanor Bounds of Effingham.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Warren, and son-in-law, James Hosking. Her loved ones give thanks to God for the blessing of her life and joy in the knowledge of her resurrection.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2022, at Johnson Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Michael of Christ’s Church, officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Ewington Cemetery, Effingham. Arrangements are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary's memory to the American Kidney Fund (https://www.kidneyfund.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/memorials-and-tributes.html), the Effingham Public Library at 200 N Third St, Effingham, IL 62401, or Christ's Church at 2511 S. Veterans Dr, Effingham, IL 62401. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.