Leola Twiggs

Reflection of Life Leola (Doll) Twiggs, “Miss Mama,” was born on August 31, 1937 in Luxora, Arkansas to the late Johnny Mack and Hattie Mae (Presberry) Mack. Her family moved to Cape Girardeau, MO when she was around three years old. Doll attended the historic all-black John S. Cobb school until the schools were desegregated in 1954. After working in fields every fall with her father and siblings, Doll was required to attend an extra semester and graduated from Cape Central High School in January of 1956. Doll lived in various places after graduating. She met her would-be husband, Joseph Lee Twiggs, in Dayton, Ohio. Eventually the couple moved back to Cape Girardeau. In 1969, Doll gained employment with East Missouri Action Agency. She had many job titles throughout her tenure but mostly enjoyed teaching because of her love for children. After nearly forty-two years of service, she happily retired in 2010. Doll was a passionate lover of Christ. She was baptized at an early age and was a faithful member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where she served for over sixty years. She had many roles including Sunday School teacher, mission president, choir president, young women’s group leader and prayer meeting coordinator. Doll was a member of various community organizations, a foster mother, and even adopted the 200 block of middle street. She obtained her associate degree from Southeast Missouri State University. Doll never met a stranger. Whenever she saw someone in need, she wouldn’t hesitate to help in whatever way she could. She would always put others before herself. Anytime you saw her she had a smile on her face and she loved telling others about the goodness of Jesus. Doll went to be with the Lord peacefully at her home on December 19, 2019 surrounded by family. She was proceeded in death by her parents Johnny and Hattie Mack, her grandparents, six brothers, four sisters, and three daughters, Henrietta Twiggs, Valerie Davis and Lisa Thomas-Brown, one grandson, Zatrun Twiggs and one granddaughter, Evasheia Twiggs. She leaves to mourn, four brothers: Bobby Mack (Phoenix), Robbie Rayford (St. Louis), Charles Rayford (Cape Girardeau), Patrick Rayford (Jefferson City), six sisters: Izola Redmond (Chicago), Earnestine Mack (St. Louis), Johnnie Mae (Chris) Bedell (St. Louis), Tiny (Prentice) Johnson (Kansas), Bernice (Richard) Mosely (Oklahoma), Joyce Ann (Lorenzo) Allen (Cape) six children: Deborah Twiggs (Cape), Vincent (Lilly) Twiggs (Cape), Donnie Twiggs (Phoenix), Christina Twiggs (Cape), Pamela (Thomas) Robinson (Cape), Robin Twiggs (Cape), a special niece she thought of as a daughter, Candy Harris (Cape) 26 grandchildren, 77 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and a host of family and friends. She will forever be missed. Rest in peace, Doll T. Visitation will be on Saturday, December 28, 2019 from noon to 1:00 PM at Cape Boble Chapel in Cape Girardeau. Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM at the church with the Rev. Joseph Cotton officiating. Memorials are requested to Ford and Sons to help defray funeral expenses. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com

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Leola Twiggs

August 31, 1937 - December 19, 2019