Winnie Mae "Mamie" Brown Sistrunk, 87, of Eunice, LA, was carried on Angel's wings into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 30, 2016. Born January 11, 1929, in Eunice, LA, she was the daughter of the late Charles Brown Sr. and Viola Andrus Brown and the widow of Milton Sistrunk. She grew up in the Richie community south of Eunice. Being the oldest girl in her large farming family, she learned to cook at a young age, a well-crafted trait that family and friends enjoyed throughout her life. Many students of Eunice remember her from her years as manager of Eunice Junior High lunchroom until she retired in the mid-80s.

If you entered Mamie's home, there was always food and coffee waiting. She was known as kind, compassionate and willing to help others. Through the years she was a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, fundraiser (baked pies and organized bar-b-ques) for her church. She sang in several church quartets and small singing groups, and insisted her children learn how to play something (piano, accordion, guitar, etc.) to always have music around her.

Mamie had an unwavering faith in God. She was a lifelong member of the United Pentecostal Church in Richie and Eunice. Along with her husband, Mamie was met at Heaven's gates by her two sons, Donald Wayne Sistrunk and Emmett Lee Sistrunk, one daughter-in-law, Billie Sue Green Sistrunk, four brothers, Percy Brown, Lee Roy Brown, Charles Brown, Jr., and CJ Brown, three sisters, Mary Alice Brown, Annie Lee Domingue, and Betty Jane Hebert, and her parents.

Survivors include one son, Billy Russell Sistrunk (Ivy) of Eunice, two daughters, Beverly Claire Sistrunk Bertrand of Eunice, Donna Sue Sistrunk LeJeune (Michael) of Lyman, SC, one daughter-in-law, Gloria Cannon Sistrunk Barnes (Bobby) of Tupelo, MS, one adopted son/great grandson, Taylor Arrant (Ansley) of Eunice, three sisters, Dorothy Spell of Baton Rouge, LA, Elaine Skinder of Macon, GA, and Judy Ann Pedigo of Lafayette, LA, one brother, Sammy Pedigo of Monroe, LA. Mamie is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Damen Sistrunk, Kim Ishee, Avonna Miller, Erika Simon, Jessica Sistrunk, Tabitha Franklin, Donzy Hux, Delia Holsombach, Amy Keys, Robbie LeJeune, Julia McCurdy, Pam Bourque, Ramona Ryder, Dana Gotte, and Cary Teal. She had 37 great grandchildren, and 12 great great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

The family would like to thank everyone who helped care for mom in these last few months. We truly appreciate every kind word and deed to help our mom's transition to her heavenly home as smooth as possible.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2016, from 1:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Quirk & Son Funeral Home in Eunice. The following day the family will be at the Eunice Pentecostal Church at 8:00 a.m. for visitation until the time of service. A service celebrating this precious lady's life will be held on Friday at 11am.

Quirk & Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.