She joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Ourtown, .later on
she united with the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Alexander CIty, Ala­
bama, where she served faithfully. She was the President of the Usher
Board.

In Willie Mae's younger age, she worked as a house keeper
for many of her neighbors in the Ourtown Community. Later on in
life the Lord seen fit to place her at the Coosa Plant. There she
worked for many years, after leaving there, the Lord placed her with
Russell Corporation; #8 mill until she retired. There she made many
wonderful friends and became the mother of the plant. She raised ten
children of her own, but took in and raised many, many other children.
Not knowing how she was going to clothe, feed and where all of us
were going to sleep, but not one time did any of us go without or
hunger. By the Grace of God, she made it work. To many she was a
"Mother" but to everybody she was "Mu",

On April 4, 2015 the Lord said I lent you to them for sev­
enty-nine years, so He softly whispered it's time for you to return to
me. So He gently removed His breath from her at her residence m
Ray Community; there her journey ended.

Willie Mae leaves to cherish her memories: nine children;
Mr. John Henry, Mr. Johnny Lewis, Mr. James Rickey, Mr. Tyrone
Herron, Mrs. Dorothy (Rev. Stanford) Benson, Mrs. Bonnie (James)
Baggett, Miss Lizzie Pearl, Ms. Gloria Harrell of Alexander City, Al­
abama, Ms. Chaka Wood of North Carolina; five brothers, Mr. Ed­
mond Holley, Mr. William Holley, Mr. Burl Holley, Mr. H.C.
(Dorothy) Holley all of Alexander City, Alabama, Mr. Jorden (Car­
olyn) Holley of Florida; six sisters, Mrs. Jo Ann (Dock) Smith ofKel­
lyton, Alabama, Mrs. Kathy Lois Thomas of Goodwater,. Alabama,
Mrs. Jessie Smith, Mrs. Leola Graham, Mrs. Gracie Cunnmgham all
of Alexander City, Alabama and a very special sister who you would
thought they were join together at the "hips", her telephone partner,
if Annie said it, that was the end of it, Mrs. Anna Jean Kendnck of
Alexander City, Alabama; brother-in-law, Rev. John R. Leonard of
Goodwater, Alabama; fifteen grandchildren along with four grand­
children she raised like her children, Sonia, Samiya, Kieasia, Brieasia
Tuck all of Alexander City, Alabama and one granddaughter she
called special. On June 20, 1985, she laid two granddaughters to rest
and the Lord blessed her with one on that day, Miss Tara Darby of
Alexander City, Alabama; twenty-one great grandchildren; one uncle,
Mr. Forest (Annie Pearl) Russell of Ohio; two special nephews, Mr.
James E. (Sheeley) Harrell of Huntsville, Alabama, Mr. Will Gopher
of Alexander City, Alabama; two special nieces, Mrs. Katie Mae Be­
lyeu of Alexander City, Alabama, Mrs. Ethal Mae Herron of Kellyton,
Alabama; one special great niece, Miss Linda Herron of Kellyton, Al­
abama; two special great, great, great grand nephews, Mr. Labrondon
Herron of Dadeville, Alabama, Mr. Latimothy Herron of Goodwater,
Alabama; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and
friends.