Nana Hoke-Sorrell Obituary (1952

Nana Rose Hoke-Sorrell, 74, of Bloomington, Illinois, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026 at 5:55pm surrounded by her loving family. Nana was born on January 23, 1952, in Peoria, Illinois, she lived a life marked by devotion to her family, faith, and community. A proud graduate of Deer Creek Mackinaw High School in the Class of 1971, Nana went on to build a long and dedicated career at the Eureka Vacuum Factory, where she worked for thirty years before retiring. Never one to stay idle, she also pursued her passion for floral design through her own floral arrangement business, an extension of her creativity and love for beauty. Nana was a woman of deep faith and service. Her spiritual life extended into her participation with organizations such as Eastern Star and Jobs Daughters. A faithful follower of Jesus Christ, she was actively involved in her church and volunteered regularly within the community. She found joy in simple pleasures—gardening in the sunshine, traveling with her sisters (especially beach trips with her beloved sister Carolyn), and creating beautiful floral arrangements that brightened the lives of others. Her travels brought her happiness and memories that she treasured deeply. Family was the heart of Nana’s world. Still surviving are her sister Linda (Dave) McKinley and brother Mike (Becky) Hoke. She was a devoted mother to her son Marcus and daughter Nerissa. Her love extended deeply to her grandchildren—Jamarr, Miguel, Lateef, Lawrence, Isaac, and Olivia and great-grandchildren Alayah and Jesiah. Known affectionately as “Mamaw,” she cherished every moment spent with them. Holidays were especially meaningful; Nana made each one magical with elaborate decorations and handmade crafts that filled her home with warmth and joy. Nana also loved being a girl scout mother to Nerissa where she enjoyed going on all the camping trips with the girl scout troop. Nana was preceded in death by her husband Manuel Sorrell; her parents Elwood Hoke and Oleva (Johnson) Hoke; and her sister Carolyn Hoke. Their memories remained close to her heart throughout her life. A celebration of Nana’s life will be held in Bloomington, Illinois. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched—with kindness in every gesture, strength in every challenge faced, and love that knew no bounds. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.