Josephine M. Kitchen

Josephine M. Kitchen, age 104, of Pearland, Texas passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024. She was born in Houston, Texas on December 27, 1919, to parents Pietro Maniscalco and Maria Messina Maniscalco of Poggioreale, Sicily.

Josephine met Elmer Earl Kitchen in Houston, Texas and married on January 3, 1964. She worked as a seamstress at Britt’s Department Store for several years. For many years, she worked as a teacher’s aide in Mother’s Day Out program at a local church in Aldine North Houston. She loved being around the children and making them smile. She was also an active volunteer at Doss Community Center in North Houston where she played competitive darts.

In her 90’s Josephine moved closer to her family in Pearland where she lived in the gated community Country Place. She was an active member of this community visiting with neighbors, friends and family at the Carriage House Event Center. She enjoyed playing dominos, bingo, sewing, cooking, and participating in “style shows” and craft shows. She loved getting dressed up and being around other people. She was always dressed and ready to go.

Josephine had a deep committed faith and strong relationship with her Lord. She loved her family and enjoyed preparing for and spending holidays together. She also loved staying in touch with her siblings and their families.

Josephine is preceded in death by her sons, Clarence Lamar Sockwell, and Bobby Joe Sockwell; parents, Maria Mary Messina Maniscalco and Pietro Pete Maniscalco; first husband, Troy Lamar Sockwell; second husband, Elmer Kitchen; sisters, Lena Maniscalco Palermo Cicciarrello, Rose Maniscalco Johnson Ritter, Jackie Maniscalco Hughes, Mamie Maniscalco Niehouse Alexander, Mary Grace Maniscalco Guyon West, and Anne Maniscalco McGary; brothers Peter Maniscalco, and Sam Maniscalco.

Josephine is survived by her daughter-in-law, Ruth Beaman of New Braunfels, Texas; grandchildren, Michael Crane of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kevin Sockwell (Stacy) of Manvel, Texas, and Troy Sockwell (Donna) of Pearland, Texas; great grandchildren, Krysten Crane, Kassie Wade, Devin Sockwell, Kade Sockwell, Jeremy Sockwell, and Brittany Sockwell; and great great grandchild, Riley Sockwell.

Visitation for Josephine will be held Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas 77039 followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Brookside Funeral Home. A committal service will follow from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Brookside Memorial Park, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas 77039.

Serving as pallbearers are Jeremy Sockwell, Devin Sockwell, Troy Sockwell and Kevin Sockwell.