"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:6-7

Mother Mattie Lee Washington Triplett was born December 15, 1931, to the late Elisten Ratcliff and the late J.T. McNeal in McComb, Mississippi.  On December 14, 2021, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend completed her earthly journey.

She was joined in Holy Matrimony to Ben E. Triplett on September 28, 1968, and to this union she had Deborah Washington Travis and he had Edward L. Triplett.  Later the two welcomed, Sharon McKinnis into the family.

As a member of the Pike County community, Mother Triplett attended Burglund Heights School.  Her work career included employment with Rankin General Hospital and the Veterans Administration. Because of her "love" for children, Mother Triplett later opened a daycare in her home. She used her home to nurture, train, and teach many children from the Cade Chapel Church Family as well as the community.  Mother Triplett could also be found attending to children while she worshipped.

During her sojourn here on earth, Mother Triplett accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in her youth and joined Rose Hill Baptist Church in McComb, Mississippi.  She later moved to Jackson, Mississippi where she was affiliated with Mount Helm Missionary Baptist Church and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church on Roach Street.  After marriage, Mother Triplett joined her husband, Ben, at Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where she was an active member.  Mother Triplett served as lead nursery teacher, a former deaconess, member of the Mother Board, Girl Scout Leader and the Circle of Love.  Because of her love for Christ and her commitment to the church, Mother Triplett was honored as a "This Is Your Life" recipient by the Fellowship Choir of Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.  She was also a member of the Geeston Street Club as well as an Eastern Star member.

Mother Triplett had a great sense of humor.  It was always entertaining to listen to her comical statements about life and to hear her old sayings.  One was sure to laugh and know that you had been in the presence of someone who could lift your spirit.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben; parents, J.T. McNeal and Elisten Ratcliff; two brothers, Jerry McNeal and Andrew McNeal; and one sister, Madeline Jackson.

Precious memories of Mother Triplett will be cherished by two daughters and a son: Deborah Washington Travis of Jackson, Mississippi, Sharon McKinnis of Magee, Mississippi, and Edward (Linda) Triplett of Jackson, Mississippi; one foster child, Sylvia (Charles) McIntyre of Clinton, Mississippi; one brother, Nathaniel Ratcliff, of Summit, Mississippi; eleven grandchildren and six foster grandchildren;  six great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, other relatives, friends, and  a whole tribe of children.