Lilian was born to James U. Long and Josie DeWeese Long on March 7, 1920 in Morley, MI.
Lilian married E.T. Hockensmith in Idabel, OK on June 22, 1946.
Lilian Mae Hockensmith passed away April 23rd, 2020 at Country Village Care in Angleton, TX, at the blessed age of 100 years. Lilian was born to James U. Long and Josie Moon (ne’ DeWeese) in Morley, MI, along with an older sister and two younger brothers.
Lilian was educated in a one room school house north of Lansing, MI and in Lansing where she first attended a kindergarten that had an indoor playground. She rarely disappointed her teachers or her parents and was a good student. She played the violin, danced tap, was a member of the synchronized swimming team and took English, French and business classes to help her in life. She graduated from East Lansing High School in Lansing, MI.
After graduation and working at a hospital transcribing notes over a recorder for doctors, she went to Florida as her sister was ill and needed help taking care of Geneva’s son and daughter. Her sister died, and Lilian took on the care of the children. Her family encouraged her to leave the children with them in MI as she resumed her job in Florida as a long-distance telephone operator.
She met Staff Sgt. E.T. Hockensmith in Orlando, Florida during WWII. In 1946 they married in OK and lived in Broken Bow. After their son was born, E.T. studied at Wilburton College. Lilian and E.T. were the oldest couple on that little campus of freshmen, she thought. After E.T. finished his studies, he was hired by Dow Chemical in 1949, and he and Lilian went to TX. Their first daughter was born that year, and the second in 1953, with both delivered at the Dow Hospital.
The family lived on Center Way not far from E.T.’s sister, brother-in-law and 2 nieces. Lilian stayed at home cooking and cleaning and being a mom. She also colorized any picture E.T. captured on film and developed, read best sellers, series, her bible daily, books to her children continuing through chapter books, planted colorful flowers and variegated plants in the H-shaped planter that E.T. built for her or in her ½ wine barrels with E.T.’s morning glory vine spreading up the trees in the front yard.
In 1962, Lilian worked on a committee that organized and established Shady Oaks Assembly of God in Lake Jackson. Teaching Sunday school, acting as superintendent of Sunday school, song leader, singing as part of a duet or solo, and cleaning the church meant nothing was beneath her as she loved her church family and to share her faith in Jesus.
Words are not enough to describe Lilian’s quick wit and overall giving nature. She loved to read and claimed that her books were her friends.
Lilian worked as a daycare/nursery school teacher at Candy Cane College in the 1960’s and 1970’s. She enjoyed her nursery school classes and still remembered the children and parents, the fun lessons and experiences they had. She never forgot several neighborhood families through the years and could call their children by name.
She loved her family fiercely. Lilian nurtured her grandchildren daily as they passed from babies to adults with books, cookies, and rides to and from school. She never missed a birth, birthday, Christmas, Easter, or an important event in their lives. She was an important part of their lives as they grew up.
Lilian celebrated her 100th birthday at Country Village in Angleton on March 7, 2020 and again with three ladies 100 years old on March 9, 2020. The city of Angleton declared March 9 as “Golden Jubilee Day” in honor of the 4 centenarians. Lilian had a life well spent and blessed by God to the end with love from family, friends and caregivers.
Lilian is preceded in death by her parents-James U. Long and Josie Moon; sister- Geneva Stewart; niece-Delores Stewart; brothers-Milburn (Florence) Long; James (Pat) Long; Husband-E.T. Hockensmith; daughter-Lilli Yvonne Herrington; mother and father-in-law-John Henry and Lula Hockensmith; sister-in-law-Wilma LaGasse .
Lilian is survived by son-Eldon T. (Eva) Hockensmith; daughter- Eldona (Larry) Menefee; grandchildren-Charles; Yvonne (Jordan); Mendi; Nicole; Ann (Jon); Brian (Vanessa), Courtney (Josh) and Bianca Hockensmith; 7 great-grandchildren; and 8 nieces and nephews.
There will be a private burial at Restwood Cemetery officiated by Dr. Lynne Settlemyre. A memorial service in celebration of Lilian’s life will be held for family and friends at a later date.
