Zulieka “Zukie” Ann McLaughlin, of Noble, Oklahoma, moved from this earth and awoke in glorious triumph gazing at her Savior’s face on her 60th birthday, Monday, July 18th, 2022.
She was born on July 18th, 1962, in Groom, Texas to Samuel “Rex” and Kadean “Kay” Rose McLaughlin. She was the second of four children and the first daughter. She was raised in the faith to know and follow Christ; and she carried that faith with her throughout her life. Her parents raised her well and taught her the values of family, respect, and hard work.
Zukie spent the majority of her life in Amarillo, Texas where she found her niche as a thorough housekeeper, thrift store manager, and garage sale extraordinaire. She was so great in these roles, and they allowed her to minister to many people over the years. She had an uncanny connection to God and an unwavering faith. Her deep love of God and need to serve others touched a multitude of people that crossed her path. She gave praise to God for every good thing she had in her life and was thankful for all her blessings.
Her relationship with Christ was the top priority in her life; and her relationship with her mom, daughters, and grandbabies were a close second.
She was a proud mom and Grammi. She was crazy about her girls and was always there for them. She was a tough, hardworking single mom when they were kids. Later when she became a Grammi, she found a whole new level of love. She was a great Grammi. Many sleepovers were had with waffles and ice-cream for breakfast and popcorn with chocolate icing for dinner.
She was such an awesome sister. She loved her brother and sisters so much and was a great friend to them. She highly loved and respected her brother and sister-in-law, Sam and Bobbie Lea. She and Sam were very close growing up. She also had a very special relationship with her sister, who many people know as “Duzie”, but she called her by her real name, Reba.
She worked hard and loved hard. She was a great friend and would do anything for anyone in need. She was tough and strong. Life’s challenges, trials, and struggles gave her a hard shell; but if you were lucky enough for her to let you in, you knew the depth of her heart.
She was a writer, a poet, a seamstress, and an artist. She would frequently repurpose what others counted as trash. She turned every house into a home with her talent of decorating.
Never afraid of hard work, she always did for herself and didn’t feel the need to rely on a man. She worked diligently with her hands, allowing her creative intuitions to become works of beauty. She loved working in the yard and rearranging her home.
In 2017, she moved to Noble, Oklahoma. There she built a new life with her mom, Kay and her sister, Susie. She worked with Susie at Bless This Mess Cleaning Co., where she was an anchor and taught everyone how to do a real ‘detail’ clean. Not surprising, in Noble she made many friends and the clients she cleaned for preferred her over anyone else. While living in Noble, Zukie’s great-nieces and nephews, were blessed to know her as Grammi.
In her last several years she got to spend a lot of time with her mom, helping care for her and staying up way too late with her watching old westerns; not because she liked them but because it was what her mom wanted to do.
Dr. Pepper with lots of ice was her signature drink, although she recently exchanged it for cucumber water. Her famous Tacos were known by anyone she cooked for. She also made a killer breakfast with fried potatoes and homemade gravy. She was loved by her loyal dogs, Bruno and Sadie Jo.
Her strength, love, and ingenuity will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She was greeted in Heaven by her daddy, Samuel “Rex”, as well as many other extended family members and friends.
Those she left behind to continue God’s work on this earth include her mother, Kadean McLaughlin, of Noble, Oklahoma; her daughters, Lindsey Mercer and Jessica Welch (Michael Gates); six beautiful grandbabies whom she loved dearly, Maleigha Dei, Makeyna Rei, Ketrianna Renee, Keja Lanae, Kaden Shawn, and Destiny Amya “Faith”, all of Amarillo; her siblings, Samuel “Sam” McLaughlin II, Lafonda “Susie” Shaver, and Reba “Duzie” McLaughlin; along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many many more beloved friends and family.
Celebration of Life Funeral Services are scheduled for Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Church in Amarillo. There will be a link to live stream the services for those who live in Oklahoma that cannot make the service.
The family has entrusted the care of their loved one to Lighthouse Funeral and Cremation Services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lighthouse Funeral and Cremation Services in Zukie’s name to help her daughters lay their precious mother to rest.
**Here is the link for the live stream of the service:
http://Graceamarillo.com/memorial
follow the link and then click on the blue “Grace Memorials YouTube” button – there will be a box saying “Zulieka McLaughlin Memorial Service” with the photo slide on it that they can click on. It will not “go live” until 15 minutes before the service starts (10:45am local time).
The service will be saved on this page, so it can also be watched any time after it concludes as well.
my favorite memory with my grammi was staying up late eating
sweets watching tv and coloring 💗💗
Everyrhing thatut I know was true. She was a friendly young laady. I was some years olderhan her, but want astonished me the most was rhat enrrgy she had. And she loved sewing especially dor children. Been here before. I know shes gone on. But I can see her strength in her two gitls and even her gtandchildren.
May you bask in God’s Glory, Beautiful! Until we meet again…❤️
May you bask in God’s Glory! Until we meet again…much love!💔
Truly one of the kindest humans I have had the pleasure to know. I can only imagine the impact she made on many, we were all blessed to know her.
Such a beautiful person, inside & out. Although I didn’t know her long, she was easy to talk with an excellent worker, Fly high sweet Zukie!
Loved going out to the thrift store. She would lead us to the back and let me dig through the new stuff!! Love y’all all. So glad to know she is with our savior.
Zukie,Susie and Duzie and I go way back. Zukie is who I met my husband through. She was always so kind , and the love of Jesus shined through her. Praying that all of your hearts are comfy and your minds are flooded with happy memories.
Oh Zukie, what a glorious day waking up to meet Jesus! We had plans that I sure wanted to accomplish but now I have even more to look forward to when I get to Heaven, if there are thrift stores in heaven I know you’ll be there showing the angels how it’s done. Save t he good stuff for me!!! Till we meet again, I love you friend!!
You will be missed my dear friend and sister in in Christ Meet my friend at Mission Alive to the family remember I love you and God loves you 💜
Thank you everyone for your kind words and memories of my mom.
I love reading them.
I hope to see everyone at her celebration of life service on Aug 2nd at 11am at Grace church in Amarillo.
If you cannot be there – – I’ll be posting a link for the live service.
Thank you everyone.
And that you God for 34 years with a mom who loved you about all else.
Here is the link for the live stream of the service:
http://Graceamarillo.com/memorial
follow the link and then click on the blue “Grace Memorials YouTube” button – there will be a box saying “Zulieka McLaughlin Memorial Service” with the photo slide on it that they can click on. It will not “go live” until 15 minutes before the service starts (10:45am local time).
The service will be saved on this page, so it can also be watched anytime after it concludes as well.
A friend of my wife and sons good as they come. She always showed love for whom ever she was around
Remember many times at the thrift store she needed help she call we show up and help with what ever she needed. Will truly miss my friend Zukie and know she’s with her Father allows us to know she is okay God speed Zukie forever your friend Terry
* Thank you God for 34 years with a mom who loved YOU above all else.
❤️💕❤️💕What an amazing thing to say about your mama.
This is my favorite poem I’ve ever written.
Lost
Ever felt so so lost,
Not caring of the cost
Fear inside you must set free,
And only Love will draw you to me
Don’t look back on what has been done,
Think of all not just one
Touch one’s spirit from the start,
Know one’s feelings from the heart
Keep your head way up high,
Over the mountain is where you’ll fly
When you land on the other side,
And with God it’s quite the ride
So when your feeling so so lost,
He gave his son for the cost…
I loved working with Zukie. She was so easy to talk to. Work with her was a form of therapy for me. I think it might be a family gift but she was also so funny, she told it like it was. She will be missed dearly by many.
I first met Zukie when we were just kids at church over on North Johnson ( Joe Conners Pastor ) She was a couple years younger than me and I had a big crush on her and I believe she did me also . She would always walk by me and push me like kids do . As the years past we seen each other at different places around town and she always give me a hug and squeezed me . Lol, she was pretty strong . I can’t remember a time when she didn’t make me smile . Words can’t say how much I’m going to mis here . I wish we had had more time to really know one another . She will be missed tremendously. Loved her lots
I can’t believe it!! I just found out. I met Zukie in high school. Ever since I met her, I’ve loved her!!! We dated and stayed friends for a long time! We got older and life just kind of separated us from being as close as we were. But after a lot of years we started being occasional friends once in awhile. She was one of the most incredible girls or just people I’ve ever known in my life!!! We had so much fun together!! She was so funny and witty!! We laughed a bunch!! It was always a privilege to be around her!!! Her family is one of the best families I’ve ever had the opportunity to ever know!!! I loved all of them very much!!! Its just a incredible privilege and honor to just say that Zukie McLaughlin was just one of the most i ncredible people I’ve ever known in my life!!! I will dearly miss her for the rest of my life!!!
Zukie was a go getter, whatever we were doing, we were laughing and having fun! She taught me the fun of thrifting, garage saling & decorating! Lindsey & Jess, my heart and prayers will be with you all! Fly high with the Angels Zuk! You finally get to meet my sweet grandson Brody. Watch over him for me if you don’t mind! You’ll always be in my heart!
I remember when I got my new Camaro. It had T-tops so we thought we were cool! We were out in Pleasant Valley going by friends houses. Now the Valley didn’t have sidewalks but boy did they have bar ditches! I started sliding and couldn’t pull it back up, scratch my new car. Zukie burst out laughing hysterically!! Before it was over, we both were*!! Fun times!! ♥️
She was a great mom and worked hard to take care of her daughters. She never said no to a job. Zukie was the most beautiful lady I’ve ever known, inside and outside. Her eyes were the most awesome blue. You will be missed
My favorite memory of Zuki was Rose rock honey she was she was awesome when we went to Rose rock honey every time I look at my rose rocks I think of you girl I miss you to pieces I love you you were a great friend and awesome person