Lorena Georgia Ann Flanigan was born in Hendricks, Oklahoma on August 9, 1915 to George and Beulah Russell. She is survived by her two loving and dedicated daughters, Virginia L. Schoats and Delores I. Mathenia. She was married to Hugh W. Flanigan, who preceded her in death.  They lived in Bonham, Texas where both of their daughters were born and where they were surrounded by loving extended family and friends.


Over the course of her life, Mother Flanigan lived in several Oklahoma towns, including Pauls Valley, where she resided for a short period of time.  Ponca City, however, became her permanent resident where both of her daughters graduated from high school.  Mother Flanigan was a strong, independent, resilient Christian woman and brought up both of her daughters in the Church.  She was a faithful member of the Church of God in Christ in Ponca City.  Having lost her home and all of her possessions in a Pauls Valley flood years earlier, in Ponca City, Mother Flanigan built and owned her own home.

In 1970, Mother Flanigan relocated to Bakersfield, California to be close to her younger daughter, Delores.  After a few years they all relocated to Stockton, California.  Regardless of where she resided or visited, her first priority and order of business was always to find a Church of God in Christ to join or attend worship services.  She joined and was a dedicated member of the Church of God in Christ in Bakersfield and Stockton.

Although she relocated to California to be near her younger daughter, she maintained a strong connection to her oldest daughter, Virginia and her family, often traveling frequently with them.  Always a reluctant traveler, Mother Flanigan summoned her courage and traveled to several states in the U.S., including Hawaii, she went on cruises to the Caribbean Islands and stood under the Niagara Falls in Canada.  She moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1990 and joined The Goodwill Church of God in Christ and later attended the Bloodbought Church of God in Christ.  In the last six years, she was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

She was saved and fully gave her life to Christ in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma under Rev. Sipuel, father of the late Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher.  She was a Mother of the Church and, no matter where she lived, she served as missionary - sewing and selling quilts, and baking and selling pies and candy to support the ministry.  Although she never matriculated beyond the 8 ^th grade, Mother Flanigan was a faithful student of the Bible, taught Sunday School, and spoke and ministered to parishioners at every opportunity.  She was featured as one of the outstanding Mothers of the Church in Rev. Malcolm Coby's Women's Conference Book of 2016. On her 100 ^th birthday, she received a commendation from President Barack Obama congratulating her on reaching this important milestone and her birthday was announced in the Muskogee Phoenix newspaper.  Notwithstanding the many accolades that came her way, Mother Flanigan unabatedly praised and worshiped the Lord.  She danced, played her tambourine, sang and shouted for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  For all who knew her, she was simply Mother Flanigan.

She leaves to mourn her passing her two daughters, Virginia and Delores, one brother, Reuben Russell and one sister Willis Marie Russell, nine grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, twenty great-great grandchildren and other nieces, nephews and relatives.

A Home Going Celebration is scheduled Saturday, September 2, 2017, 11:00 a.m., Rayfield Baptist Church, 601 Indianapolis Street, Muskogee, OK; with Rev. Gary Hall, eulogizing.  Interment will follow in Booker T. Washington Cemetery, Muskogee, OK.


Visitation will be Friday, 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.


The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Homes.