Cordette Bocklet Empson

Cordette Bocklet Empson, 83, peacefully passed from this world on February 25th in Dallas, Texas, leaving behind a large family and many friends. She is survived by her four children, eleven grandchildren, and six great‑grandchildren, all of whom adored her and knew her simply as Grandmama, the title she cherished most.

Born in Jamaica, Queens, Cordette lived a life that blended elegance, adventure, and a healthy dose of sparkle. She attended Marymount University at the age of 16 and later married the love of her life, William Arthur Empson, with whom she shared 38 years of partnership, laughter, and well-set dinner tables.

Cordette was described by her family as bubbly, playful, and the undeniable life of the party. She was the kind of hostess who could turn an ordinary Tuesday into an event, the kind of woman who believed that details mattered — whether it was the placement of a napkin or the care of her beloved orchids. Her love of finery was well known, but it was never about extravagance; it was about creating beauty, warmth, and a sense of belonging for the people she loved.

She was a devoted gardener, tending to her flowers with the same tenderness she gave to her family. She also had a deep passion for golf, a sport she approached with the same enthusiasm she brought to everything else in life.

Family was her compass. If Cordette loved you, you knew it — she made sure of that. Her Catholic faith guided her throughout her life, grounding her through every season. She traveled widely across the United States and abroad, but in her later years she found joy splitting her time between Dallas, Texas, and Naples, Florida, where she continued to host, garden, laugh, and love with her signature flair.

Cordette leaves behind a legacy of joy, generosity, and impeccable taste. Her family imagines her now arranging celestial centerpieces, and greeting old friends with that unmistakable sparkle in her eye.

She will be deeply missed — and fondly remembered every time someone sets a table just a little too perfectly.