To Our Beloved Mae Rose ~

What a marvelous thing God did, blessing this world and blessing our lives with you.

You were the firstborn child and grandchild in the family, adored by your mother Mae Alice, your father Stanley, your stepfather Bill, your Grandpa Jim, your Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Thomas, and so many other relatives and family friends in Muskogee, Oklahoma and Los Angeles, CA.

You were the devoted wife of Michael, the most loving mother in the world to James (Elena and LaTricia) and Marjorie (Robert, RIP), and more like a mother than a grandmother to Jaimee (Korey) and Cody.

Even with advanced Alzheimer’s, you were a sweet blessing in the lives of your great-grandchildren, lighting up each time you saw Kori, Tristen, Kaylynn, Codie and Kaleb.

You were the admired big sister of Billy, Lee, Dorothy, Helen and Tommy; the sweetest of aunties to Will, Kara, Kimberly, and Anthony; a wonderful cousin, a loving in-law, and a cherished friend to so many.

You poured out so much love on all of us, so much laughter. You lit up every room you entered. You loved us whole-heartedly.

A fourth-generation educator, you followed in the vocational footsteps of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. You were an absolutely phenomenal early childhood educator, teaching several generations of little ones their letters and numbers and shapes and colors. You were a wonderful colleague to your fellow teachers and a wonderful mentor to new teachers entering the profession.

As we celebrate your life, we remember not only the people but the pastimes that brought you such joy, how you loved the music of Nancy Wilson, loved going on cruises, loved a good novel – especially anything by Walter Mosley or J. California Cooper.

Yours was a long journey with Alzheimer’s – more than 14 years from the time you were diagnosed to the time you departed this life. And now, sweet Mae Rose, you are free, safe in the arms of the Holy One, and joined again to all your loved ones who preceded you in death, especially your beloved Mama.

May we be faithful to the legacy of love, laughter and learning you have bequeathed to all of us. We love you dearly and will miss you always.

Your Family and Friends