Obituary: Essie Lou Sickels

Essie Lou Sickels, 91, of Mansfield went peacefully to be with the Lord on June 17, 2022. Essie was born to Allie Mae (Elledge) and Gilbert Chastine Cain on May 6, 1931, in Sulphur Springs. Essie and her six siblings grew up in Sulphur Springs, where her father was a Baptist preacher.

Essie met the love of her life, James Ray Sickels, and they married in 1948. Together they moved from Sulphur Springs to Temple and later to Dallas before settling in Mansfield. Essie and Ray raised four children together before his untimely passing in 1974. Essie worked as a cashier at the GM Canteen for over 13 years and went on to work as a dietitian at Arlington Memorial Hospital for over 13 years.

Essie was a member of Grace Temple Baptist Church. She enjoyed watching gospel broadcasts on television, sewing, cooking and working in her garden. She was always listening to gospel hymns. Essie had a true servant's heart; she loved taking care of others. She especially loved to cook for people to show love in times of grief and in times of joy. Above all Essie loved first being Mama to her children, Grandma to her eight grandchildren, and later GG and Granny to her 10 great-grandchildren. Essie lived a long and joyful life on this earth and she will be dearly missed.

Essie is preceded in death by her parents, Allie Mae Cain and Gilbert Chastine Cain; her husband, James Ray Sickels; her son, Raymond Louis Sickels; brothers, Earl Cain and VC "Bo" Cain; and sister, Chess Frank.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory daughter, Linda Binion and husband, Joe, of Arlington; son, Alan Sickels of Mansfield; daughter, Ruby Sickels of Grand Prairie; sisers, Ina Dodson of Porter and Anita Morris of Tyler; brother, Gilbert Cain of Colorado; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members and friends.

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