"Angel" Lillie Harris

“Angel” Lillie Harris, 75 of Pocola, OK, lovingly known as “Momma” or “Nana Angel” to all who knew her, lost her valiant battle with cancer on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. She was born on March 8, 1941 in Booneville, AR to the late Lester and Stella Hicks. She was a Christian, her heart and home was always open to family, friends, and strangers. She exemplified unconditional love to her family, first and foremost to her six children and their families. Once you were a member of her family, you were always a member of her family; time, distance, or separation of any kind did not exist in Nana’s world.

She is preceded in death by three brothers, Hoyt, Bill, and Don Hicks, and one sister, Nellie Cresteen Hicks.

Angel had several talents; sewing, painting, and the best darn Thanksgiving cook and hostess in the world. She was a professional seamstress who could develop a pattern from a mere description. She made many formal and wedding gowns for family and friends. She was a local artist, learning to refine her talent at the Crawford County Art Center, where she later became a volunteer instructor. Some of her works are displayed throughout Ft. Smith and Pocola. She was the former manager of the art department at Michael’s Arts& Crafts Store.

Thanksgiving was her favorite time of the year and she cooked the best feast; beginning early in the morning with her biscuits and gravy, especially her chocolate gravy, to feasting on turkey, ham, the best potato salad that only she could make, her fudge cake, pies and all the fixings, not a single person ever left Nana’s house wanting for food, but more important Love.

She enjoyed going dancing (honky tonking), and traveling to the beach was a favorite destination, whatever she did, she did with passion. She had an incredible lust for life and lived hers to the fullest.

Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at Fentress Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow at Spring Hill Cemetery in Chismville, AR.

Nana is survived by her best friend and companion of 20 years, Jerry of Pocola, her three daughters; Linda Kaye Carbone of Dallas, TX, Becky Joyce “B.J.” Parks of Arkoma, and Angel LaDonna Harper of Barling, her three sons; Shelly Ray Smith of Lakeland, FL, Gary Lee Smith of Ft. Smith, and Stephen Smith of Stringtown, OK; her three sisters; Peggy Kregbum of Paris, Shirley Fines of Ft. Smith, and Lola Joan Moreland of Washington, IL, her brother; Roy Hicks of Ft. Smith. Nana is survived by 16 Grandchildren, numerous Great Grandchildren and Great, great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Patrick Dunbar, Christian Smith, “Budda” Larry Cousar, Jeremy Peterson, Christopher Pledger, and Rodney Henry.

Public viewing will be 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM Monday, November 21, 2016 with the family greeting guests from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the funeral home. fentressmortuary.com