A Pillar of the Taylor Community, a Mother to many, a Friend that stood firmly, a tireless Vineyard Worker in God's Kingdom, Mae Phyllis Fondren, gained her heavenly wings and went home to the one who loves her the most.
She was born on May 10, 1929 to the late Jerry and Vermacy Norphlet in Lafayette County, MS. She was one of 10 children and attended West Springhill School where she completed her education.
She confessed a hope in Christ at Mt. Hope M.B. Church at an early age and served faithfully until her demise. She believed in service and early on became the Church Custodian (without pay). She was often the first person to arrive and the last person to leave. Along with her grandchildren, she made sure the Sanctuary was in order and ready for service. She would often be the first person to greet you at the door as she served as a Doorkeeper for the Usher Department. Mae served faithfully in many Church Ministries of Mt. Hope including: Usher Ministry, Mission Ministry, Program Committee, Sunday School, Bible Study and most of all she was President of the Kitchen Ministry. Her leadership and hard work was responsible for the great food served to our members and as well as members of the community. She served by example. She would never ask anyone else to do anything that she would not do herself. She was a Heroine of Jericho, Court #95, Outer Gate Keeper to MaMae Ministries.
Mae was employed by Lafayette County Hospital (now Baptist Memorial Hospital NM) in the EVS Department until her retirement. She did much more than serving as a Housekeeper. She could often be heard offering a comforting Word to the patients and fellow employees. She never met a stranger. She was a hard worker and learned to value of hard work early in life. To supplement her income, she cleaned homes, took in ironing, laundry and worked on the farm. Mae loved gardening, flowers and animals. She loved tilling the ground to plant a seed and then reap the harvest. She also applied the concept to everyday life lessons.
Mae paired hard work, love, truth and honesty into all her family and those who knew her. She was a straight up individual. She told you like she saw it and did not bite her tongue. She had a special way of doing this that left you with your dignity. Her love for family was demonstrated in the way she cared for her children, grandchildren, great-grands, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews. In her uniqueness, each child was given their own special name. She assumed the role of Mother, Grandmother, Mentor to many of her siblings' children and raised some as her own.
At the loss of her only son, Buck, she was emotionally devastated, but with her strong faith in God, and the help of her grandson and special nephew, Jan Rockette, it was made right and helped to fill the void only a mother can feel at the loss of a child.
Mae Phyllis Fondren departed this earthly life at her home in Taylor, MS being surrounded and cared by family who loved her. One of the last things she said was "Don't be sad. Y'all been good to me, but I got to go home." We miss you so much MaMae, but rejoice in your journey home because we understand that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8.
She leaves her legacy of love to her children: Willie Mae (Charles) Woods of Oxford, MS, Vickie Vaughn and Phyllis Fondren of Taylor, MS, grandchildren: Charles (Deidre) Woods of Nashville, TN, Melissa Woods of Oxford, MS, Shawn (Jessica) Vaughn, Zedrick (Chasity) Fondren, Jeremy (Tiffany) Fondren and Phylisha Fondren, Great-grandchildren: Bria, Tyler, Devin (Courtney), Cayson, Miley, Laken, Aubree, Amiyah and Kaiden, Great-great grandson: Myles, sisters: Mildred Egerson of Taylor, MS, and Lorine Lockhart of Memphis, TN, a special niece: Martha Ivy of Taylor, MS, she also injected her wisdom and knowledge of love into a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and community and church members.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Vermacy Holt Norphlet and Jerry Norphlet, beloved husband: Willie B. Fondren, son: Buck Fondren, one grandchild: Vada Denise Woods, five brothers: McKinley Norphlet, James Norphlet, Hezekiah Norphlet, Mase Lockhart, Twilton Lockhart, three sisters, Geneva Egerson, Cherry Tyson, and Emma Rockette.