Ms. Marie "Biggie" Booker

September 12, 1933 - September 16, 2018

Ms. Marie “Biggie” Booker, 85, of Peoria, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at 12:17 PM Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Heartland Health Care Center in Peoria. Marie was born Mae Reesie Wright on September 12, 1933 in Tchula, Mississippi to Charlie and Mae Ida (Junior) Woodson. Marie married J.T. “Knott” Booker. Marie followed her brother, John D. Hudson to Peoria, IL in 1955. She began her work experience in the dry-cleaning business. She later worked for Caterpillar as a laborer and retired in 1990 after many years of service. She enjoyed fishing, brisk walks and spending time with her family. Marie had a beautiful singing voice. She sang gospel when she was cooking and blues when she was cleaning. She could use pitch in a song to shut down a conversation if it wasn’t going her way. Marie prided herself for being a single black woman who could do anything! She was one of the first black women to buy property on the East Bluff and later on Millbrook Street in Peoria. When she retired from Caterpillar, she moved to California in 1991 and returned in 2001 because she was home sick. Marie leaves to cherish her most precious memories, her son, Elton Booker of Riverside, CA; three daughters, Ida Booker of Riverside, CA, Angel Gumms of Peoria and Loretha (Curtis) Patterson of Perris, CA; four sisters, Ernestine Randle of Riverside, CA, Mary Woodson and Eula Woodson both of Peoria and Claudia Woodson of Long Beach, CA; 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; a host of great-great grandchildren; nieces; nephews, other relatives and friends. The family would like to give a special thanks to Peggy, Skip, Roberta and Rev. Williams and a special niece, Mildred Wright for their help and exceptional care of Marie during her last days. She is preceded in death by her parents, one son, King Edward “Sonny” Booker, five brothers, John D. Hudson, Walter “Dip” Fisher, Charlie Wright, Jr., Melvin Wright, Sr. and Willie James Wright; and three sisters, Edith Wright, Lena Wright and Martha Williams. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Simons Mortuary with a visitation beginning at 10 AM. Rev. Robert Costic of Higher Dimensions Praise and Worship Church will officiate.