Mary Lou Thomas Tickell

On Monday, May 2, 2022, at approximately 10:30 a.m., God, in His infinite wisdom, sent His messenger to Southern Magnolia Estates in Iuka, Mississippi, to call for His own, Rev. Mary Lou Tickell. Mary Lou had been “pleasantly confused” for the last two years as a result of dementia. Born in 1937 in the small town of Iuka to Herbert Sr. and Mary Thomas, here she was born and here she died. The life in between was lived as a servant of God. A true and faithful member of the Methodist Church, it being her desire and ambition to do the will of God and to direct her friends and associates to Jesus as a place of refuge. She was a strong prayer warrior and disciple of God’s Word. She never became too weary to give a word of encouragement or advice to her friends and family about how they should live. She was ready to walk through the pearly gate, meet her Maker, and hear the welcome plaudit, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!”

Mary Lou’s life on the earth was lived as a daughter, wife, mother, missionary, minister, and a lifelong servant of God. Upon graduation from Iuka High School, Mary Lou continued her education at the University of Tennessee and became a medical lab technician. This career led her to Houston, MS, where she met her husband, Doyle Leland House. They only had nine short years together before he left her a widow. Mary Lou continued her work in the medical field, working in Houston, Huntsville, Sheffield, and back to Iuka. After some years, she began to feel God’s tug on her heart to take her calling and minister to the people of Haiti. While in Haiti, God once again called on His servant and once again Mary Lou answered His call. She returned to the United States and became an ordained Methodist minister and spent the next 20 years pastoring churches in Mississippi and Alabama. As He often does, God rewarded His servant. Mary Lou met and married Rev. Bob Tickell in 1988. They were able to share eight years, hand in hand, serving the Lord. Oh, that all the people of the world would be so willing to heed the call of Our Heavenly Father, to make their hearts tender and their ambition stronger to know God and follow His purpose for our lives! Now, while this world has lost a noble servant, heaven has gained a bright jewel. Mary Lou leaves behind a small but loving family to mourn her death. She is survived by her son, David House and his wife, Janie; a grandson, Andrew House; a granddaughter, Ali Rogers (Shon); two great-grandchildren, William and Brooke; and her step-son, Mickey House. Mary Lou was preceded in death by a host of family and friends.

Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS, is entrusted with arrangements. A graveside celebration of Mary Lou’s life on the earth will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Arc of Dekalb County, which Mary Lou’s grandson attends, by mail at 201 Grand Ave. SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967. An online guest book may be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.